Garda Anti-Corruption Unit introduces tip-line as complaints remain low

Garda Anti-Corruption Unit introduces tip-line as complaints remain low

A tip-line is being launched by the Garda Anti-Corruption Unit to deal with bribery and corruption allegations after fewer complaints than expected were received following its creation last year, The Irish Times reports.

Members of the public can leave messages on the line which will then be evaluated by staff.

Part of the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau (GNECB), the anti-corruption unit was established in 2017 along with the passage of the Criminal Justice (Corruption Offence) Act through the Oireachtas.

Det Supt Gerard Walsh of the GNECB said the unit has not received as many complaints as expected.

“We certainly are told bribery and corruption is endemic in Ireland. Reports show lots of employees believe it is endemic within their organisation,” he said.

Sixty-eight per cent of Irish people think corruption is widespread in the country according to Eurobarometer report. By contrast, 22 per cent of Danes and 21 per cent of Finns hold similar views about corruption in their own countries.

“We do get reports from time to time,” Det Supt Walsh said.

“But we’re certainly not seeing the figures, that … 81 per cent of people in Ireland are experiencing corruption.”

He added he hoped the phone line would give an idea of the scale of corruption offences in Ireland and if the unit needed more resources.

“Obviously I’m reluctant to have a very, very big unit if I don’t have cases. There’s lots of other things that we could be investigating as well.”

He explained that many people may be unaware that certain forms of corruption are even crimes and that still others may be afraid to come forward.

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