Policing

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.

An Garda Síochána took six years to fully implement a recommendation to stop inappropriately recording children's details on PULSE intelligence records, according to a new report. The Garda Inspectorate has published a post-implementation review of Recommendation 8.17 from its 2014 cri

Garda informants should be allowed to commit crimes, the Garda Inspectorate has recommended in a new report. The conduct of so-called 'covert human intelligence sources' (CHIS) is currently governed by the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009, which does not enable or permit authorisation of any

A man who was told the Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) did not have the resources to investigate his complaint has been granted leave for a judicial review. Raymond Quinn, a former compliance officer with a New York securities firm who is now retired and living in Co Donegal, compl

A mural commissioned by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) warns that Garda use of facial recognition technology could lead to innocent people being misidentified as criminal suspects, with women and people of colour at increased risk.

Northern Ireland’s High Court has dismissed a challenge from the Police Ombudsman to a decision by the chief constable of the PSNI to hold a misconduct meeting in respect of a death in detention. Delivering judgment for the High Court, Mr Justice Michael Humphreys determined that the relevant

Senior appointments to An Garda Síochána and its oversight bodies have been announced ahead of the commencement of landmark reforms later this year. Barrister Dr Elaine Byrne has been designated for appointment as the inaugural chair of the new Policing and Community Safety Authority (

A judge has rejected an application by the PSNI which sought to force news companies to hand over unbroadcast and unpublished journalistic material. DWF partner Olivia O'Kane acted on behalf of Channel 4 News, ITN, Press Association and UTV in the proceedings before Judge Gordon Kerr QC of the Crown

Lawyers, journalists and activists who suspect they have been spied on by the PSNI have been urged to complain before an impending deadline. London lawyer Angus McCullough KC is leading an independent inquiry into alleged PSNI surveillance of journalists, lawyers, non-governmental organisations and

The UK's Investigatory Powers Tribunal (IPT) is expected to rule by the end of the year on a case brought by Northern Ireland journalists alleging unlawful police surveillance. Trevor Birney and Barry McCaffrey were arrested in 2018 following the release of No Stone Unturned, their documentary about

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has been slapped with a £750,000 fine over its unprecedented data breach last year. The force inadvertently published the names, roles and other personal details of all serving police officers and civilian staff on its website just over a year ago.