Heads must roll over Morris reports, says Green Party

Press Release: Justice 17 August 2006

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17 August 2006

Heads must roll over Morris reports, says Green Party

The Green Party has praised the work of Justice Frederick Morris in producing five reports into allegations of Garda misconduct and corruption in Donegal, and called for Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner to take decisive action.

The third, fourth and fifth reports of the Morris Tribunal were published this afternoon.

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said: "Now is the time for firings within the Gardaí. It is unacceptable for members of the force who have grossly abused their powers to remain in their jobs. The Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner must be seen to act, and act decisively to expel the rotten apples from An Garda Síochána.

"It is very important to remember that Justice Morris has said that the culture of indiscipline, gross abuses of power and fabrication of evidence within the force is not limited only to County Donegal. Justice Morris has stated that there is a serious erosion of discipline and propriety in An Garda Síochána as a whole.

"The Minister for Justice this afternoon gave assurances to the public and those upstanding members of An Garda Síochána that 'appalling behaviour' will not be tolerated. I look forward to seeing the Minister implement the appropriate measures to ensure that this type of behaviour is rooted out in an efficient and timely manner.

"As Justice Morris points out in his report, the security of the State and its citizens is dependent on an effective police force. It is vital that An Garda Síochána enjoys the confidence of the general public and at the moment this is certainly not the case. The publication of these reports by no means closes the file on this very serious issue."

Ciarán Cuffe is a TD for the Dún Laoghaire Dáil Constituency. Ciarán can be contacted at Dáil Éireann, Kildare Street, Dublin 2 or 96 Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire Tel. 284 6060 or 618 3082, Fax 618 4341, Email Ciaran CiaranCuffe.com, or Text Ciaran on 087 265 2075.