Vol. 558 No. 2
65 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the total amount paid out either in respect of court awards or out of court settlements for claims taken against members of the Garda in respect of assault, unlawful arrest or other breach of a citizen's rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23714/02]
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to court awards and out of court settlements taken against members of the Garda in respect of assault, unlawful arrest or other breaches of citizens' rights is set out in tabular form. The details given cover five years from 1997 to 2001.
Civil actions may be taken by the general public against members of the Garda Síochána for compensation for alleged wrongs and personal injuries inflicted on them by Garda members in the performance of their duties. The highest percentage of these types of civil actions against the Garda Síochána are in relation to assault and unlawful arrest. The great majority of these cases have been settled for less than £20,000, €25,394.76.
|
Year(Total Amount in Euro) |
Assault(€) |
Unlawful Arrest(€) |
Other(€) |
|
|
1997(864,313.74) |
Awards |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Settlements |
43,171.09 |
104,753.39 |
316,535.37 |
|
|
Costs |
33,281.23 |
101,863.06 |
264,709.60 |
|
|
Total |
76,452.32 |
206,616.45 |
581,244.97 |
|
|
1998(1,220,198.70) |
Awards |
25,394.76 |
Nil |
143,018.22 |
|
Settlements |
179,033.07 |
140,940.93 |
119,699.00 |
|
|
Costs |
45,755.21 |
78,016.14 |
488,341.38 |
|
|
Total |
250,183.04 |
218,957.06 |
751,058.60 |
|
|
1999(1,517,844.93) |
Awards |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Settlements |
86,342.19 |
49,329.32 |
826,446.37 |
|
|
Costs |
197,984.54 |
131,883.24 |
225,859.27 |
|
|
Total |
284,326.73 |
181,212.56 |
1,052,305.64 |
|
|
2000(874,915.35) |
Awards |
32,708.45 |
Nil |
Nil |
|
Settlements |
204,523.06 |
79,612.58 |
248,977.86 |
|
|
Costs |
89,425.90 |
183,518.56 |
36,148.94 |
|
|
Total |
326,657.41 |
263,131.14 |
285,126.80 |
|
|
2001(1,619,746.83) |
Awards |
1,904.61 |
20,950.68 |
22,220.42 |
|
Settlements |
123,164.59 |
33,965.49 |
162,782.25 |
|
|
Costs |
244,665.35 |
123,199.41 |
886,894.03 |
|
|
Total |
369,734.55 |
178,115.58 |
1,071,896.70 |
