GSOC prosecution of garda
Alan Kelly demanded a debate on GSOC after its decision to prosecute a garda involved in pursuing suspected criminals. He said the force was being treated unfairly and that morale and recruitment were being undermined.
It is very rare that I stand up on the Order of Business but I feel desperately that we need as a Legislature to have a debate about the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC. What is going on at the moment is outrageous. Its latest decision is to prosecute a garda for pursuing three members of a well-known criminal gang, with more than 200 convictions, because he did his duty and followed them until they went down the M7 motorway and, unfortunately, got killed. He then went to the scene to try to help. The people of this country are outraged at this. Over the past number of days, €32,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe page for this garda, mostly by his colleagues. I know this garda-----
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I know; I am being very careful. I know this garda to be a diligent worker and as diligent as they come. As I stand here, and I can verify this as of now, he still does not know what he is being charged with. We all know how the media had the story before his family did. We as a Legislature need to look at GSOC. We also need to ask ourselves in this Chamber who in the name of God, and I represent Templemore, would join An Garda Síochána when a garda is being treated like this. What are we saying to the criminals of Ireland - that gardaí are not going to go after them if they go the wrong way down a road? This is not acceptable. It is not acceptable behaviour and we as a Legislature and the Government have to lead on this to show the people of Ireland that members of An Garda Síochána who are doing their duty will be respected and will not be treated this way.