Commissioner unreservedly accepts findings of reports

COMMISSIONER'S APOLOGY:GARDA COMMISSIONER Factna Murphy has apologised to those who were found to have been mistreated by members of the force and said the events described in the tribunal's reports represented a "dark period in the history of a proud organisation".

Accepting unreservedly the findings of the tribunal's eight reports, Mr Murphy said: "The events outlined in the various reports of the tribunal and the unacceptable actions of individual members of An Garda Síochána identified in those reports represent a dark period in the history of a proud organisation.

"They are not only disappointing and a matter of deep regret to myself as Commissioner and my colleagues, they do a grave disservice to the tradition of An Garda Síochána and dishonour our primary objective, which is to provide professional, fair and effective policing to our community."

The commissioner said the authority bestowed on gardaí carried immense responsibility. "I therefore want to restate the apology I made following the publication of the sixth report to those people who were found to have been mistreated by members of An Garda Síochána."

It remained a matter of "profound regret" to him that these individuals were subjected to actions which fell far short of the high standards which people were entitled to expect from members of the force.

The commissioner also said he was grateful that the tribunal had publicly vindicated the reputation of two of his most senior colleagues, Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty and retired Assistant Commissioner Tony Hickey.

"I note that Judge Morris emphasised that the 'appalling allegations' made against both officers were completely untrue and unwarranted."

Addressing gardaí directly, Mr Murphy said he was conscious that the past 10 years had been difficult for the vast majority of members, "who get up every morning and go out to do a decent and honest day's work in service of their community."

"My commitment as commissioner is to ensure that, as an organisation, we take the valuable lessons gained from this examination of past events and harness that learning to help us deliver excellent policing into the future."