The Garda Ombudsman Report for 2015 was released earlier today, and shows that Donegal has made 176 complaints to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, and Donegal also have one of the highest rates of referrals in circumstances where the conduct of a member of the gardaí results in harm to another person.
Complaints
County Donegal is amongst the highest to file complaints to the GSOC. The most common grievances submitted nationwide regarded abuse of authority, and neglect of duty – both of which made up one-third of all complaints respectively.
Referrals
The Ombudsman must conduct independent investigations following referral by the Garda Síochána, in circumstances, where it appears that the conduct of a garda may have resulted in the death of, or serious harm to, a person.
Nationwide, 52 referrals were received in 2015, of which 15 related to fatalities. The most common circumstances for such referrals were road policing and arrest.
Most referrals came from Donegal, Dublin, and Tipperary.
