More than 100 misconduct allegations made against gardaí in Tipperary last year

New figures show 112 allegations of misconduct were made against gardaí in Tipperary last year. 

That is according to the annual Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) report for 2022 released this week.

This included allegations that were found to be admissible and non-admissible, as well as allegations with no determination by the end of 2022. 

Allegations refer to the number of offences being alleged in a complaint. 

Complaints refer to the recording of the allegations. 

Nationally, GSOC recorded 3,207 allegations within 1,826 complaints. 

They also conducted 17 public interest investigations where no complaint was made. 

A complaint can only be made if the person was directly affected or witnessed the misconduct, or on behalf of another with their consent. 

The highest number of complaints nationally were about customer service at 19%, followed by investigations (14%), arrests (14%) and roads policing (11%). 

Top allegations were neglect of duty (33%), non-fatal offences like assault (21%), abuse of authority (20%) and discourtesy (11%). 

Of the 1,826 complaints made, 904 were found to be admissible. 

62 sanctions were issued. 

27 files were sent to the DPP. 

2,301 complaints amounting to 4,484 allegations were closed, which was an 11% increase. 

Section 102 

Nationally 41 referrals (17 fatal) were made under Section 102 of the act.  

Just one of those 41 was made in Tipperary. 

Section 102 of the act refers to investigations of misconduct which resulted in death or serious harm to a person. 

Publication 

Speaking on the publication of the report, GSOC Chairperson Rory MacCabe, said:

“It is my hope that this Annual Report will afford the reader an accurate view of the important work done by GSOC and a sense of the challenges that an expanded and transformed police oversight and complaints body will face in the years to come.

"Policing oversight is hard. It is a detailed and demanding vocation, crucial to accountability in a democratic society. Holding police, possessed of considerable powers, to account deserves the highest respect. To maintain this respect requires express and unequivocal commitment to independence.”