AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA’S complaints unit opened files on 1,197 issues raised by members of the public last year.
Detailed in the force’s annual report, 42 of these were referred on to GSOC.
Just more than 500 complaints were referred from GSOC to the garda commissioner for investigation.
Other issues raised in the Internal Affairs section of today’s report explains that two people died while in garda custody last year.
One of these was a 61-year-old man who was found unconscious behind Buncrana Garda Station in Co Donegal in November last year. The matter is currently being investigated by GSOC.
“On arriving at the garda station, gardaí noticed that Mr Lynch was experiencing difficulty breathing and an ambulance was called. Garda members commenced CPR assisted by members of the fire brigade,” the report reads.
Mr. Lynch subsequently experienced further difficulties, stopped breathing and passed away.
Also under investigation by GSOC is the death of an intoxicated 22-year-old male who was arrested for public order offences in Waterford.
He was found “unresponsive in his cell” in Dungarvan.
Details of monetary sanctions, cautions, warnings and reprimands which can be imposed on officers were also included in the report.
Just one member of the force was sacked, another resigned as an alternative to dismissal, while the service of a member of the Garda Reserve was “dispensed”.
A total of 153 gardaí were disciplined, and €60,920 of monetary penalties imposed.
Garda Reserve, Probationer Gardaí, and Student Gardaí are not include in these figures.
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