GRA in Broadside Against Victims of Gardai Corruption and Violence.

national | miscellaneous | news report

Tuesday May 14, 2002 17:38

by james - socialist alternative

PJ Stone of The Garda Representative Association (GRA) has launched a broadside against those attacked when a peaceful protest was attacked when the Gardai erupted into a violent attack on protesters.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties has criticised comments by the General Secretary of the Garda Representative Association.

PJ Stone said at the GRA annual conference that the vast majority of law-abiding citizens did not want an Ombudsman with the ability to investegate the Gardai independently. At present the Gardai investegate themselves. Speaking of the recent Gardai attack on a reclaim the streets protest Mr Stone said most complaints to the Garda Complaints Board were from people with subversive or criminal leanings.

He said the investigation into those disturbances would reveal another side of the story where property was damaged and Gardaí and civilians were attacked. Stone described how there was another side to the events of last monday, he claimed two cars had been attacked, one apparently set on fire and the other was apparently kicked with a baby inside. He also claimed a number of building fronts were vandalised by protesters. No evidence has been presented regards the vandalised buildings or burnt out cars, meanwhile through out the indymedia.ie website there is evidence of police brutality. On Burgh Quay, reclaim the streets activists used a smoke bomb in a piece of street theatre involving a car specifically bought for the purpose

The Acting Director of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties, Liam Herrick, said Mr Stone's comments highlight the need for a restoration of confidence in the force. The Garda Complaints Board has said that those who have made complaints regarding the events of Dame Street last monday definetly do not fit his description of subversives and criminals.

Mr Stone also strongly criticised the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, for not accepting the word of the Garda Commissioner on prior knowledge of the Omagh bombing and on the disturbances in Dublin last week. He criticied the idea of an independent investigation, because such an investegation would be governed by the whim of the media, the whim of those involved.

Earlier, GRA President, Greg Fogarty, criticised the courts for being too lenient on criminals. He said that Gardaí were becoming more frustrated at the courts inability or unwillingness to see the full resources of the law, used to control law-breakers.

Mr Fogarty also called for mandatory minimum sentencing to be introduced and enforced. He said the courts must show more resolve in dealing with criminals.