Drop in allegations against local gardaí

Complaints fell by 14% compared to 2021

The number of allegations made against gardaí serving in the Cavan-Monaghan division has fallen, according to the latest figures from the recently published in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) 2022 Annual Report.

GSOC’s Annual Report documents the high volume and complexity of allegations dealt with by the policing oversight body last year.

It provides an expanded and detailed set of case studies, public interest investigation summaries, and detail of systemic recommendations made to An Garda Síochána as well as looking ahead to GSOC’s planned expanded role under forthcoming legislation.

GSOC received a total of 1,826 complaints from the public in 2022, and opened 41 investigations on referral by An Garda Síochána following incidents involving death or serious harm. The year also saw 27 files forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions arising from GSOC investigations into allegations of sexual violence, assault, breaches of the Road Traffic Acts and the provision of false information.

In 2022 GSOC dealt with 96 allegations against gardaí serving locally, down by 14 per cent from 112 complaints received in 2021.

Even still, Cavan-Monaghan had one of the highest levels of complaints compared to other neighbouring divsions, only surpassed by Louth (155).

There were just 38 such complaints received by GSOC against gardaí serving in Sligo-Leitrim, 62 in Roscommon-Longford- 54 in Westmeath, and 58 in Meath.

A total of 48 investigations arising from referrals were closed in 2022.

This included two in Cavan-Monaghan, similar to Meath (also 2).

There was one referral in 2021.