96 complaints against local gardaí in 2022 - GSOC report

The number of allegsations made against gardaí serving in the Cavan-Monaghan division has fallen, according to the latest figures published in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) 2022 Annual Report. GSOC’s Annual Report documents allegations dealt with by the policing oversight body last year.

It provides detailed 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 (DPP) arising from GSOC investigations into allegations of sexual violence, assault, breaches of the Road Traffic Acts and the provision of false information.

Allegations down 14%

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 divisions, 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 two).