The lives of others: Garda abuses power to spy on ex, ends up in special branch!

[Tosser]

A garda sergeant who abused her powers to pull the mobile phone records of her ex has not only not been fired, but has been promoted to Crime and Security branch.

Under the law, a garda above the rank of rank of chief superintendent can pull anyone's phone and internet records - without a warrant - in order to investigate a serious offence (i.e. one that carries a penalty of at least five years imprisonment). These records not only show who was calling whom, at what time, the contents of texts, and can even show the location of where the call was made - accurate to a few metres. It is estimated that more than forty such requests for data are made to Irish telecoms companies by the gardaí every single day.

Detective Sergeant Eve Doherty abused her position and broke the law in order to spy on her ex-boyfriend, but no prosecution was brought by the DPP, and the garda ombudsman didn't even bother to seriously investigate the matter. She was disciplined by a garda tribunal, but instead of being fired she has since been seconded to the garda's anti-terror squad.

Digital Rights Ireland » Garda who abused phone records to spy on ex will not be prosecuted, will keep job

Garda detective quizzed for 'spying on her ex'; 'Someone went to great lengths to get records'. | Goliath Business News

One has to wonder if the gardaí are taking their responsibilities under the law seriously if a cop can not only pull records that are supposed to be out of her reach, but can do so about an ex, without losing her job. After this abuse of power the government should make it the law that every data access request should require a warrant signed-off by a judge.

[captainwillard]

Another thread which shows that everyone in authority is power mad and evil. Don't you ever get tired of this hypothesis? It is a family matter and hardly of great importance.

When you grow up and have some children yourself, you will understand that human nature is very complex.

[Kevin Doyle]

You say only a Garda above the rank of Chief Superintendent can pull these records, so how did a detective sergeant do it?

[Tosser]

You say only a Garda above the rank of Chief Superintendent can pull these records, so how did a detective sergeant do it?

That's the real problem. Is it a cultural thing that any guard in the park can pull anyone's records, no questions asked, or did she hide her reasons from her superior who is supposed to be acting in oversight of such requests.

[Tosser]

Another thread which shows that everyone in authority is power mad and evil. Don't you ever get tired of this hypothesis? It is a family matter and hardly of great importance.

When you grow up and have some children yourself, you will understand that human nature is very complex.

Er, thanks for reinforcing my point. These events prove that the existing system doesn't provide sufficient oversight to prevent abuses of power, and consequently a more regulated regime should be introduced requiring judicial oversight.

[Executive Steve]

Clearly it's a positive thing that both her initiative and her facility for good old fashioned police work are being rewarded.

She'll do well in Special Branch!

[cricket]

You'd have to wonder why the Garda Ombudsman chose not to do something.

[tokkie]

A garda sergeant who abused her powers to pull the mobile phone records of her ex has not only not been fired, but has been promoted to Crime and Security branch.

Under the law, a garda above the rank of rank of chief superintendent can pull anyone's phone and internet records - without a warrant - in order to investigate a serious offence (i.e. one that carries a penalty of at least five years imprisonment). These records not only show who was calling whom, at what time, the contents of texts, and can even show the location of where the call was made - accurate to a few metres. It is estimated that more than forty such requests for data are made to Irish telecoms companies by the gardaí every single day.

Detective Sergeant Eve Doherty abused her position and broke the law in order to spy on her ex-boyfriend, but no prosecution was brought by the DPP, and the garda ombudsman didn't even bother to seriously investigate the matter. She was disciplined by a garda tribunal, but instead of being fired she has since been seconded to the garda's anti-terror squad.

Digital Rights Ireland » Garda who abused phone records to spy on ex will not be prosecuted, will keep job

Garda detective quizzed for 'spying on her ex'; 'Someone went to great lengths to get records'. | Goliath Business News

One has to wonder if the gardaí are taking their responsibilities under the law seriously if a cop can not only pull records that are supposed to be out of her reach, but can do so about an ex, without losing her job. After this abuse of power the government should make it the law that every data access request should require a warrant signed-off by a judge.

Where did it say she was "promoted"? I saw seconded and moved but not promoted.

[darkhorse]

In a similar situation, a bank official was recently fired for viewing the account information of friends
Sacked AIB worker says he did not know accessing accounts warranted dismissal - The Irish Times - Tue, Dec 21, 2010

[Tosser]

Where did it say she was "promoted"? I saw seconded and moved but not promoted.

Well moving to CSB hardly amounts to a demotion, does it?