New Garda Ombudsman

[perprojustice]

Look what happened to the FOI act.
Any real transparency or accountability was an issue for this goverment.
The nation is coming to realise that now.

They are coming to realise it now but are they prepared to take action? that is the question.

If they are taking action it will have to be done soon.

Poor Cowan has inherited such a poison chalice that he has lost the run of himself and is unable to supervise the other departments.

[corelli]

have been away for a few weeks and basically nothing has changed in this country of ours. For some reason I am unable to open that link but I am aware of what happened there.

During my travels I have visited the ECHR. I do not need to tell you what they think about our corrupt country.

They cannot understand why it is allowed to continue. It will continue as long as senior posts are filled by political appointees

The Garda Ombudsman commission is in a shambles. I blame the government and in particular successive minister's for justice.

The case of the harassment and intimidation of the Garda who stopped John ODonoghue was recently brought to the attention of the Minister for Justice and I have been informed that he wrote back strongly advising the Garda to have the Garda Ombudsman investigate it.

However Gardai are disbarred from making complaints to the Garda Ombudsman for some very strange reason.

Surely the Minister for Justice knows this.

The Minister for Justice is empowered to ask the Garda Ombudsman to investigate it in the public interest.

Does he know this? surely he does!

He is also empowered under the Garda Siochana Act 2005 to have Garda procedures investigated.

Why does he not exercise that right when he is so concerned at what he has read about the whole affair and is so anxious that the Ombudsman investigates it.?

Where are we going when the Minister does not know the proceedures pertaining to his office.

The other sad part about it is that the Garda Ombudsman was asked to investigate almost two years ago-by civilians who have been affected by the actions of the Gardai- and to date have failed to do so, quoting "pressure of work"

It appears that our Ombudsman Commission is in a lot of bother.

Those poor well meaning citizens are in far worse bother now .

Where is the provision of the Act preventing a Garda complaining to the Garda Ombudsman Commission?

You could not have visited the ECHR as it is not a physical place but the European Convention on Human Rights, a legal treaty. Did you maybe visit the Council of Europe in Strasbourg or perhaps the registry of the ECtHR, which is the European Court of Human Rights?

In any event, who there categorised our Country as corrupt? The last official word from the COE was the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights last year. No mention there.

You should also be aware that the Garda Ombudsman Commission can investigate any matter in the public interest.

If this matter is of such concern to you why don't you ask them, personally, to investigate?

BTW, I am not particularly getting at you and the thrust of your points I agree with, but you are very wooly on detail Mr.!

[onthefence]

Sounds like a repeat of the "bankers" cosy cartel for the law.. I have no doubt DG is an excellent individual (with a great pension) surely he dosn't need the hassle. Its bit like a scene from yes minister " a safe pair of hands"

[perprojustice]

Where is the provision of the Act preventing a Garda complaining to the Garda Ombudsman Commission?

You could not have visited the ECHR as it is not a physical place but the European Convention on Human Rights, a legal treaty. Did you maybe visit the Council of Europe in Strasbourg or perhaps the registry of the ECtHR, which is the European Court of Human Rights?

In any event, who there categorised our Country as corrupt? The last official word from the COE was the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights last year. No mention there.

You should also be aware that the Garda Ombudsman Commission can investigate any matter in the public interest.

If this matter is of such concern to you why don't you ask them, personally, to investigate?

BTW, I am not particularly getting at you and the thrust of your points I agree with, but you are very wooly on detail Mr.!

Of course you are trying to get at me Corelli. We are not all fools. I feel particularly sad for you.

I am affording you just ONE (1) response as I am here to keep members informed of what is happening, not to educate anyone so read this post well and take in all that you see.

(1) [COLOR="Red"]Where is the provision of the Act preventing a Garda complaining to the Garda Ombudsman Commission?[/COLOR]
Answer: It is very easy to find the legislation it took me three minutes but in case you are not capable of finding it I will spell it out here for you

Sec 67 (2) A of the Garda Siochana Act of 2005 defines the function of the GSOC quote " to receive complaints from members of the public"

Sec 83(1) A and B defines who can complain

quote "(A ) A member of the public" (B) on behalf of the member of the public.

are you still with me? I will slow down if you wish.

Now move down along to Section 4, or part 4 as it is called.

Under definitions, Sec 82 (C) to be precise defines a member of the public as a person other than a Member of An Garda Siochana or the Commissioner.

If any thing here is too difficult the GSOC has a simplistic break down of who can and cannot make a complaint, on their website.

(2)[COLOR="Red"]You could not have visited the ECHR as it is not a physical place but the European Convention on Human Rights, a legal treaty. Did you maybe visit the Council of Europe in Strasbourg or perhaps the registry of the ECtHR, which is the European Court of Human Rights?[/COLOR]

What a booboo here. The ECHR I refer to is the European Court of Human Rights. It is a really big building in Strasburg. It is very easy to find, everybody knows where it is. I suppose I could send you a photo of it but you will surely find it on the net....sometime. Ask a friend to point it out to you.

(3) [COLOR="Red"]InYou should also be aware that the Garda Ombudsman Commission can investigate any matter in the public interest.
any event, who there categorised our Country as corrupt? The last official word from the COE was the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights last year. No mention there. [/COLOR]

Some very prominent Human Rights presonnel are aghast at what is happening and has happened in Ireland. I did not think there was any person left in Ireland who would believe "official words"

(4)[COLOR="Red"]You should also be aware that the Garda Ombudsman Commission can investigate any matter in the public interest.[/COLOR]

You almost got one thing right. Have you read any of my posts? I have said it many times that the GSOC is empowered to investigate on a matter of public interest without a complaint. Although he is not empowered to investigate "anything"

(5) I[COLOR="Red"]f this matter is of such concern to you why don't you ask them, personally, to investigate?[/COLOR]

Have I not got the constitutional right to please myself on this matter? you do not know what I have done or have not done.

Now I am very politely asking you to please do not clutter up this thread with these silly childish off topic posts.
I will not respond to such posts again. Now who is woolly?. I guess an apology is out of the question.

[corelli]

Of course you are trying to get at me Corelli. We are not all fools. I feel particularly sad for you.

I am affording you just ONE (1) response as I am here to keep members informed of what is happening, not to educate anyone so read this post well and take in all that you see.

(1) [COLOR="Red"]Where is the provision of the Act preventing a Garda complaining to the Garda Ombudsman Commission?[/COLOR]
Answer: It is very easy to find the legislation it took me three minutes but in case you are not capable of finding it I will spell it out here for you

Sec 67 (2) A of the Garda Siochana Act of 2005 defines the function of the GSOC quote " to receive complaints from members of the public"

Sec 83(1) A and B defines who can complain

quote "(A ) A member of the public" (B) on behalf of the member of the public.

are you still with me? I will slow down if you wish.

Now move down along to Section 4, or part 4 as it is called.

Under definitions, Sec 82 (C) to be precise defines a member of the public as a person other than a Member of An Garda Siochana or the Commissioner.

If any thing here is too difficult the GSOC has a simplistic break down of who can and cannot make a complaint, on their website.

(2)[COLOR="Red"]You could not have visited the ECHR as it is not a physical place but the European Convention on Human Rights, a legal treaty. Did you maybe visit the Council of Europe in Strasbourg or perhaps the registry of the ECtHR, which is the European Court of Human Rights?[/COLOR]

What a booboo here. The ECHR I refer to is the European Court of Human Rights. It is a really big building in Strasburg. It is very easy to find, everybody knows where it is. I suppose I could send you a photo of it but you will surely find it on the net....sometime. Ask a friend to point it out to you.

(3) [COLOR="Red"]InYou should also be aware that the Garda Ombudsman Commission can investigate any matter in the public interest.
any event, who there categorised our Country as corrupt? The last official word from the COE was the report of the Commissioner for Human Rights last year. No mention there. [/COLOR]

Some very prominent Human Rights presonnel are aghast at what is happening and has happened in Ireland. I did not think there was any person left in Ireland who would believe "official words"

(4)[COLOR="Red"]You should also be aware that the Garda Ombudsman Commission can investigate any matter in the public interest.[/COLOR]

You almost got one thing right. Have you read any of my posts? I have said it many times that the GSOC is empowered to investigate on a matter of public interest without a complaint. Although he is not empowered to investigate "anything"

(5) I[COLOR="Red"]f this matter is of such concern to you why don't you ask them, personally, to investigate?[/COLOR]

Have I not got the constitutional right to please myself on this matter? you do not know what I have done or have not done.

Now I am very politely asking you to please do not clutter up this thread with these silly childish off topic posts.
I will not respond to such posts again. Now who is woolly?. I guess an apology is out of the question.

Your grasp of the English language is much to be envied, for a start!!

Are you suggesting that an off duty member of the Gardai is therefore precluded from reporting a matter to the GSOC?

The "big building" you mention in Strasbourg houses the council of Europe offices and the Court, which is the ECtHR, not the ECHR, a point which you could not deal with by the way, is but one chamber thereof.

I see you still cannot name or identify which section of the COE you "met" with and who expressed opinions on Ireland being corrupt etc.

Anyway, as English is obviously not your first language I will desist now.

Appointments should be made by an independent panel and should be open to public scrutiny. I agree with the central thrust of your arguments but you don't make them very well, if you don't mind me saying so.

[perprojustice]

I am breaking my own rules here by responding to you.

This will be my last response.

I think that you had better inform yourself a little better.

To assist you please follow this link
European Court of Human Rights - The Court

If you want to visit you may make contact the following address

Let me know before you go and I may be able to get you access to some other parts of the building and the Cafeteria

edit Forgot to add; an off duty Garda is not allowed to make a complaint to the GSOC. An on duty Garda is not allowed to make a complaint to the GSOC. Read the Act.

No more off topic posts.

European Court of Human Rights
Council of Europe
67075 STRASBOURG Cedex
France
email
ECHRvisitors@echr.coe.int
telephone
+33 (0)3 90 21 52 17
(visits only)
fax
+33 (0)3 88 41 37 59

You will also note there in no h in strasburg

[corelli]

I am breaking my own rules here by responding to you.

This will be my last response.

I think that you had better inform yourself a little better.

To assist you please follow this link
European Court of Human Rights - The Court

If you want to visit you may make contact the following address

Let me know before you go and I may be able to get you access to some other parts of the building and the Cafeteria

edit Forgot to add; an off duty Garda is not allowed to make a complaint to the GSOC. An on duty Garda is not allowed to make a complaint to the GSOC. Read the Act.

No more off topic posts.

European Court of Human Rights
Council of Europe
67075 STRASBOURG Cedex
France
email
ECHRvisitors@echr.coe.int
telephone
+33 (0)3 90 21 52 17
(visits only)
fax
+33 (0)3 88 41 37 59

You will also note there in no h in strasburg

Ah your a funny man. Lots of bluff but no answers!!

I have been there many's a time officially. More than you perhaps!! LOL

I enjoyed your annoyance very much!

[A_man_about_a_dog]

Dermot Gallagher, former General Secretary of the Dept of Foreign Affairs has just been appointed to the post of Chairperson of the Garda Ombudsman Commission.

Mr Gallagher is also the new Chairman of UCD's Governing Authority. See here

I wonder are there any other state bodies to which Mr Gallagher has been recently appointed?

[corelli]

Mr Gallagher is also the new Chairman of UCD's Governing Authority. See here

I wonder are there any other state bodies to which Mr Gallagher has been recently appointed?

Not that I know of but his UCD position is not appointed by Government. He was appointed by the Governing Authority of UCD which is independent of Government, to be fair. Its not really a State appointment, to be fair to him.

[perprojustice]

Mr Gallagher is also the new Chairman of UCD's Governing Authority. See here

I wonder are there any other state bodies to which Mr Gallagher has been recently appointed?

At a glance it does not appear to be a political appointment however there are eight politicians from the Association of Council and city councils. Three FF three FG, one Labour and one independent.

Should he be Chairman under circumstances. I think not.

He is employed in a Commission that is loosing all credibility, this can only add to that loss.