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| Irish inquiry: Concerns over Gardai secret phone recordings | Irish inquiry: Concerns over Gardai secret phone recordings |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The Irish government has set up an inquiry into allegations of widespread secret recordings by police. | |
| It said that the implications were new, serious and of such gravity that a commission had to be set up. | It said that the implications were new, serious and of such gravity that a commission had to be set up. |
| "A system was in place in a large number of Garda (police) stations whereby incoming and outgoing telephone calls were taped," it said. | "A system was in place in a large number of Garda (police) stations whereby incoming and outgoing telephone calls were taped," it said. |
| It is understood the revelations could have an impact on past and current court cases. | |
| The government said it was informed of this new information on Tuesday. | The government said it was informed of this new information on Tuesday. |
| It is understood the practice of routinely recording phone calls went back for decades. | |
| Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the Irish police, Martin Callinan, resigned following a controversy over whistleblowers. | Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the Irish police, Martin Callinan, resigned following a controversy over whistleblowers. |
| In its statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Irish government said the practice of making recordings had been in place for many years and was discontinued in November 2013. | In its statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Irish government said the practice of making recordings had been in place for many years and was discontinued in November 2013. |
| "It is not yet clear why this practice was in operation. The government is extremely concerned about this information," the statement said. | "It is not yet clear why this practice was in operation. The government is extremely concerned about this information," the statement said. |
| The government has asked for a full, detailed report from its police force, An Garda Síochána, and its Department of Justice. It said the matter was "of significant public concern" and the investigation would be chaired by a senior serving or retired member of the judiciary. | The government has asked for a full, detailed report from its police force, An Garda Síochána, and its Department of Justice. It said the matter was "of significant public concern" and the investigation would be chaired by a senior serving or retired member of the judiciary. |
| In a report by the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) published in June 2013, there was a reference to the practice of recording all incoming and outgoing calls on a particular phone line at Waterford Garda Station. | |
| The report said a court ruled that recordings were not admissible evidence. | |
| "On consideration of the ruling of the court, the Garda Commissioner may wish to re-evaluate his practice regarding the recording of such calls and the consents required if it is to be permissible to use such recordings in evidence," the ombudsman noted. | |
| However on Tuesday, John Redmond from the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) said: "I am absolutely not aware of any recordings - except by ministerial order - I've never come across routine recording." | |
| The statement also said that the government had agreed to the retirement of Mr Callinan. Deputy Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan has been appointed as interim Garda Commissioner. | The statement also said that the government had agreed to the retirement of Mr Callinan. Deputy Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan has been appointed as interim Garda Commissioner. |
| The Irish Government stressed its commitment to reform, including legislation to protect whistleblowers and to extend freedom of information. | The Irish Government stressed its commitment to reform, including legislation to protect whistleblowers and to extend freedom of information. |
| It also reiterated its commitment to the reform of Garda oversight and accountability. It said this would include establishing an independent Garda authority. | It also reiterated its commitment to the reform of Garda oversight and accountability. It said this would include establishing an independent Garda authority. |
| The full detail of reform proposals are to be set out in the coming months. | The full detail of reform proposals are to be set out in the coming months. |