asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a serious charge has been made against a citizen (name supplied) who, it is alleged, made a report to him in relation to the activities of a member of the Garda Síochána (name supplied); if he received such complaint and, if so, the date on which he received it; and having regard to the fact that this citizen has denied making any such charge or complaint, as alleged, if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Charge Against Citizen.
64.
The man concerned was charged with an offence and convicted. He appealed to the Circuit Court but withdrew the appeal while it was at hearing.
This question arises from the fact that, during the proceedings in court, the superintendent referred to complaints that had been made to him by the defendant concerning the investigating garda. The superintendent also said that the defendant had complained about the garda to my Department.
This was not accurate but the inaccuracy was of no consequence because, first of all, the man had in fact complained about the garda to the garda's superior officer, and there is no difference as far as the garda is concerned between that and a complaint to my Department; and, secondly, the man has admitted, in a letter to my Department, that he told the superintendent that he was going to complain to my Department. The superintendent states that the man said to him he had already complained. The difference, in the circumstances, is quite irrelevant and I do not accept the case the man is making that his conviction was in any way attributable to this particular statement by the superintendent.