CRIME NEWS JOURNAL: Dublin: Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) Probe Failed To Find Person That Breached Security

18 Sept 2014

Dublin: GSOC Seeking To Cover Up And Keep Secret Their Incompetence: Shatter: *Link Update

Alan Shatter accused GSOC of seeking to cover up and keeping secret a disturbing level of incompetence.

Former minister for justice Alan Shatter has called for the resignations of the members of Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

Mr Shatter asked his successor Frances Fitzgerald in the Dáil today about GSOC's investigation into an alleged leak of confidential information.

* www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/shatter-calls-for-garda-watchdog-to-be-sacked-1.1932318

He accused GSOC of seeking to cover up and keeping secret a disturbing level of incompetence.

Mr Shatter said it is "unacceptable and contrary to the public interest" that the current GSOC commissioners remain in place and these matters are left unresolved, in particular given that GSOC is due to get more powers in new legislation.

In October 2013, GSOC commenced what the Cooke Report said was a premature investigation of surveillance of its offices.

Mr Shatter said GSOC commissioners had an obligation to inform him as minister and the garda commissioner of this investigation, but they did not do so.

He said given their behaviour it was not tenable that the current three Commissioners remain in office.

Mr Shatter's handling of allegations that the GSOC headquarters might have been bugged played a part in his resignation as minister in May.

The Cooke Report looked at alleged bugging at GSOC offices.
The report by retired Judge John Cooke found no evidence of surveillance, a conclusion that Mr Shatter feels vindicated his stance as minister.

Mr Shatter claimed that what he called the confused narrative and vague innuendo that had characterised their approach had prolonged the controversy.

In response, Ms Fitzgerald said there had been a leak from the bugging investigation even if no bug was found.

Nonetheless, she said she would urge GSOC to see if it would be possible to publish a redacted version of the report into the leak.

GSOC has declined to comment tonight on the statement from Mr Shatter.

Mr Shatter resigned from office in May following the Guerin Report into allegations made by Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
The report was critical of a number of agencies, including the Department of Justice.

Keywords: alan shatter, garda siochana ombudsman commission, gsoc

Dublin: Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) Probe Failed To Find Person That Breached Security

GSOC said it would not be publishing the report

The Garda Ombudsman Commission has said it has been unable to identify the individual responsible for disclosing confidential information from its office which its chairman described as a breach of security.

A confidential report by a British security firm which last year swept the GSOC offices for bugs was leaked to The Sunday Times earlier this year.

Chairman Simon O'Brien told an Oireachtas Committee that only seven people had had access to that report and promised an investigation.

In a statement today, GSOC said it would not be publishing the report on the matter which was drawn up by Senior Counsel Mark Connaughton because it says it contains personal data which is impossible to redact.

The ombudsman also said that it agrees with the report's conclusion that it would be difficult to identify any further useful measures and said therefore no further action is intended.

The commission also says it has taken the matter very seriously and put in place several internal measures to enhance the security of information in relation to GSOC's business.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald refused to indicate if she was satisfied with the progress of the investigation, and said GSOC would be commenting on the issue this afternoon.

18 Sept 2014

Dublin: GSOC Seeking To Cover Up And Keep Secret Their Incompetence: Shatter: *Link Update

10 Sept 2014

Dublin: Garda Ombudsman (GSOC) Probe Failed To Find Person That Breached Security