Joint statement on unanswered calls by An Garda Síochána

Published: Monday, June 28, 2021

NWC, ICCL, FLAC and SiSi are calling for an independent review of the cancelled emergency calls and the failure of An Garda Síochána (AGS) to appropriately respond to emergency calls since the start of 2019. This request follows the concerns raised by members of the Policing Authority at its meeting with the Commissioner. An independent review is necessary to both bring clarity and transparency to what has occurred in AGS, how this was able to occur without detection, the implications for the those who sought emergency response from the guards and for the systems within AGS.  An independent review would also make recommendations for the changes that need to take place within AGS and critically an independent review would assist to restore public confidence in AGS.

The Independent Review should be carried out by the Policing Authority and involve the Garda Inspectorate and victims’ rights experts.

 As leading organisations in the protection of human rights, access to justice, women’s rights and domestic violence we believe that the establishment of an independent review would also show that Governments recognition of the seriousness of the failure of AGS to respond to people at a critical time in which they need an appropriate response and the seriousness of domestic violence and the impact it has on all its victims and families. While we recognise there is an ongoing internal review by AGS and that AGS are in the process of contacting all callers which we believe should continue as a matter of urgency, we do not believe that this is sufficient nor will it lead to the systemic change necessary.

Mary-Louise Lynch, Founder, SiSi – Survivors Informing Services and Institutions

Eilis Barry, Chief Executive, FLAC

Liam Herrick, Executive Director, Irish Council for Civil Liberties

Orla O’Connor, Director National Women’s Council

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For more information, please contact Laura Pakenham, Digital Communications Officer, NWC, Tel. 085 8619087, laurap@nwci.ie