Policing

A trainee lawyer who was mocked and beaten by police following an anti-globalisation protest in Italy in 2001 suffered a violation of his rights, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled. Andrea Cioffi was removed by police from a hospital where he was being treated following violent clashes bet

Ireland's new police ombudsman has appointed Paul Mageean and John Wadham to develop its human rights framework. Fiosrú was formally established in April under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, replacing the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

The High Court has dismissed judicial review proceedings taken by a garda accused of entering into an inappropriate sexual relationship with a woman who made a complaint to gardaí of domestic abuse. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Garrett Simons found inter alia that while

Northern Ireland's justice minister has been urged to establish and chair a new media safety group following a "sustained campaign of threats and violence" against journalists. A new 106-page report from Amnesty International features interviews with reporters who have been told they will be shot or

Lawyers representing the president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) have welcomed the conclusion of a PSNI misconduct investigation in his favour. Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP is representing PSNI chief inspector Andy George, who faced a misconduct investigation following social media pos

The president of the National Black Police Association (NBPA) has launched legal action against the PSNI for alleged racial discrimination. Belfast firm KRW LAW LLP and barrister Barry Mulqueen BL are representing chief inspector Andy George in his application to the Industrial Tribunal and Fair Emp

Sir John Gillen has been reappointed as independent assessor of PSNI recruitment vetting for a further four years. The retired judge, who sat on Northern Ireland's High Court from 1999 and the Court of Appeal from 2014 until his retirement in 2017, will serve for a second term until 30 April 2029.

The PSNI has been challenged over a bizarre decision to release a deliberately blurred image of suspects in an attempted murder. Belfast firm Phoenix Law said its client Sean O'Reilly was confused by the force's appeal for assistance in identifying two suspects while releasing CCTV images with their

Plans to give gardaí new powers to order protesters to remove face coverings risk creating a "chilling effect" on freedom of expression, campaigners have warned. Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan yesterday said new powers are necessary as "some protesters are covering their faces in an obvious

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) would be allowed to hold on to DNA and fingerprint evidence for longer when related to terror investigations under proposals currently out for consultation. Northern Ireland's Department of Justice is seeking views on proposed changes to a part of the Po

Landmark reforms to the governance and oversight of An Garda Síochána have come into effect. The Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 was commenced by justice minister Jim O'Callaghan today, establishing a number of new bodies.

The landmark Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 is to be commenced in a week's time. The legislation provides for the creation of a new Policing and Community Safety Authority, replacing the existing Policing Authority and Garda Síochána Inspectorate, as well as the restr

Four Catholic PSNI officers are taking the force to court over alleged religious and political discrimination. Belfast firm KRW LAW said it has been instructed by four current or former officers, including one identified only as "Sean".

The transfer of immigration registration functions from An Garda Síochána to the Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) of the Department of Justice has been completed. From 13 January 2025, all first-time registrations will be handled, in person, at the Burgh Quay Registration Office

The PSNI is to begin routinely releasing photos of convicted criminals, the force's chief constable has said. Jon Boutcher told the NI Policing Board that he has a "very clear plan" in place to begin publishing mugshots next year "as a deterrence", The Irish News reports.