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Gardaí wearing cameras at a water charge protest. DUBLIN SAYS NO/YOUTUBE SCREENGRAB

GSOC chief warns that body cams and facial recognition tech will be open to abuse

GSOC boss Hugh Hume said that the watchdog will need significant investment if it is to keep track of misconduct related to abuse of new technologies.

A GSOC COMMISSIONER has warned that the watchdog will need “significant investment” to be able to keep track of the “abuse of technology” if Gardaí get body worn cameras, and if facial recognition technology is brought in. 

Hugh Hume, who appeared in front of the Public Petitions Committee today alongside other Garda Síochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) officials, said that bringing in new technology to assist the work of Gardaí will have pros and cons. 

Hume said that while new tech may be “useful”, particularly in light of how its counterpart in Northern Ireland is able to use body cam footage to aid its work, it can also be used for “both good and bad”. 

“No technology is infallible. 

“Any introduction of tech must have robust procedures for the protection of data, and the protection of imageries to make sure it isn’t shared disproportionately,” he added. 

Hume argued that bringing in body worn cameras will increase GSOC’s workload significantly, as it will have to check that procedures around the use of such tech are being adhered to, and that there “is no misconduct going on”. 

He said that with the introduction of new tech, the 3000 allegations made yearly that it deals with will could potentially all have footage attached to them, which GSOC would need to receive, store, and manage. 

His Colleague Rory McCabe, the chair of GSOC, said that in his experience as a judge he has seen how effective video technology such as CCTV can be in establishing the facts of a case. 

He said that it is a “powerful weapon” for protecting the public, as well as Gardaí who come in the line of fire.

During the committee meeting GSOC officials told politicians that the investigative body has for a long time been understaffed, with huge workloads per investigator compared to similar authorities in other countries. 

This month, an investigation by The Journal’s investigative branch – Noteworthy – revealed chronic staff shortages at GSOC with the watchdog warning in its latest annual report that “Staff turnover…has not only exposed existing staff to increased workloads but also to work-related stress and burnout.” 

Today at the committee meeting, McCabe suggested that a specific higher education course to train investigators may be a solution to its recruitment and retention crisis. 

“It’s something we’ve been discussing [...] to see if we could get Limerick or one of the higher education institutes interested in putting on a dedicated course of education, as you all know, it is really a matter of money,” he said. 

GSOC currently has 30 investigators, and 10 assisting investigators. They are ideally, according to the Grant Thornton benchmarking review, meant to be dealing with 10 cases each. 

Currently, investigators in GSOC are dealing with 25 to 30 cases. These can relate to anything from petty theft, to sexual impropriety, to abuse of power. 

While former Gardai make up some of the staff, others worked previously in policing and defence authorities in Australia, Canada and other countries, and some come from the Defence Forces. 

Very serious cases relate to the actions of Gardaí potentially influencing the death of serious harm of someone. 

McCabe said that the extensive vetting which is part of the recruitment process means that onboarding people quickly difficult. 

He also said that the watchdog is looking for applicants who have any “experience in conducting investigations”. 

Peter Whelan said that because of staffing issues, GSOC are able to do very comprehensive investigations, but there are frequent issues with timeliness. 

On average it takes 366 days for a criminal investigation to be completed, but often it takes longer. 

Some GSOC files have been open for 15 years, the committee heard. 

GSOC officials also voiced concerns about threats to their independence posed by the Policing, Security and Community Safety bill – which is at committee stage – which is planning to scrap GSOC and replace it with one Police Ombudsman, who will have a higher level of public visibility. 

The bill will make significant changes to how GSOC conducts its business. One area of concern for officials is the introduction of a “triple lock” for GSOC investigations of garda stations, which will give the Garda Commissioner the power to block planned searches. 

Another change that GSOC chiefs take issue with is that, under the bill, the watchdog will present its report to the Minister for Justice, who will then oversee it being brought to the Oireachtas. 

Hume said that, as is the case with the Defence Forces, the Ombudsman should have the power to bring its report before the Oireachtas directly, without ministerial oversight. 

Hume further stated that it is “unfair” that the new bill places timeframe requirements for investigations on the Ombudsman, but does not place equivalent requirements on the Gardaí, even though the level of co-operation can impact the time it takes to complete an investigation. 

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18 Comments
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    Mute Nakedcleanersireland.com
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:43 AM

    Has anyone else noticed that since this covid 19 started, that the weather has been amazing, the skies have been clearer and the water taste better

    160
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    Mute Logan Shepherd
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:37 AM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: Maybe this is Mother Natures way of putting us back in our box.

    65
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    Mute Sharp Elsi Mate
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:54 AM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: How’s business these days?

    29
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    Mute John Jones
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:57 AM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: Amazing weather??? It’s been cold. Lower than the average monthly temperature for March.

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    Mute Francis Devenney
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:57 AM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: Do you think the fact it’s spring might be a factor?

    24
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    Mute Mary Morrisey
    Favourite Mary Morrisey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:13 AM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: It is the time of year for the weather to be like this. Maybe you’ve been too busy to notice those things before?

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    Mute Mary Morrisey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:24 AM

    @Logan Shepherd: I’ve learned I need to slow down and enjoy things more. Career change may be in order after this.

    11
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    Mute John fitzpatrick
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:27 AM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: as a golfer that went out in the bad weather and mud for 5 months, yes I noticed the last 5 weeks.

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:37 PM

    @Nakedcleanersireland.com: Really ? Lashed rain all day yesterday in the south-east.

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    Mute John kavanagh
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:04 AM

    17 degrees,, yaaaay if I could only go out it would be great

    52
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    Mute Mary Morrisey
    Favourite Mary Morrisey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:16 AM

    @John kavanagh: why can’t you get out?

    16
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    Mute Quiet Goer
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:18 AM

    Oh dear we will pay for this. Stand by for claims of the hottest April on record, mumbling about carbon tax from Fianma Gael, talk of banning turf and daysul

    43
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    Mute Richard
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:24 AM

    Think I will dust off the bbq and stock up on a few beers.

    27
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    Mute Justice Mickey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:40 AM

    @Richard:
    Now that sounds like a brilliant plan BBQ in the back garden, good ole bit of craic over the fence with the neighbours while social distancing.
    Gonna give the old BBQ a damn good scrubbing and text the neighbours..
    I’ll raise a glass to you Richard.

    32
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    Mute ThatLJD
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:44 AM

    @Justice Mickey: we’re still talking about an outdoor charcoal grill type cooking device here right, and not something else? You see where my confusion could’ve come from, you getting all excited, giving something a good scrubbing, messaging the neighbours! Or have I ‘swung’ to the wrong conclusion mate! Either way, enjoy it man!

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    Mute Justice Mickey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:07 AM

    @ThatLJD:
    Hahaha, that’s 2 flipping great ideas on the same thread …
    *looking for my drill*

    6
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    Mute Jim Sullivan
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:48 AM

    @Justice Give the old drill a cleaning as well.

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    Mute Matthew O'Kane ☘️✊
    Favourite Matthew O'Kane ☘️✊
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    Apr 6th 2020, 9:04 AM

    Sounds like my drinking habits

    16
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    Mute John Judd
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:49 AM

    Biggest drop in Co2 emmissions since WW2, I have noticed bright sunny skies colder nights with less cloud coverage , maybe the climate change deniers can now stay quiet given that there is actual evidence to prove fewer car journeys, flights , indutries closing etc actial makes a difference .
    https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2020/0403/1128226-fall-in-co2-emissions-could-be-greatest-since-ww2/

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    Mute Mary Morrisey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:19 AM

    @John Judd: No one denies climate change, only the affect humans have on it.

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    Mute Em Gee
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:02 AM

    Great. I might be able to leave the heating off for a bit longer and light the stove a bit later. It has been really cold this spring, I’m still wearing thermals and ski mid-layers indoors.

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Apr 6th 2020, 12:04 PM

    Beautiful weather for a run along the river this morning. Definitely time for the BBQ and I’ll try out my first batch of home brew cider while I’m at it – May as well, not much else to do at the moment I guess.

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    Mute Ger
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:35 AM

    FFS

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    Mute The Great Cornholio
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    Apr 6th 2020, 10:39 AM

    throw on your shorts…

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    Mute Mary Morrisey
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:21 AM

    @The Great Cornholio: here’s hoping lose wind levels will allow us to feel that glorious warmth.

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    Mute Maximilian Wilde
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    Apr 6th 2020, 11:48 AM

    But, the weather is only sunny and nice 4km from my house at any given time. I can’t go more than 2km from my house. :)

    2
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