3,400 gardai facing sanction over handling of youth offender cases

3,000 officers are being considered for disciplinary action over youth offender crimes which were not followed up, the Garda Commissioner has said.

Single incidents of rape, sexual wrongdoing and child neglect were among 55 of the most serious offences which were not forwarded for possible prosecution.

They were mostly committed between 2010 and 2015 and were part of the Youth Diversion Programme.

Chief superintendents have been asked to initiate disciplinary proceedings but it could take months to resolve, Commissioner Drew Harris said.

Action: Drew Harris

He added: “There is an element of individual accountability. I would not want to shirk what is a systems failing here as well.”

A total of 3,489 children aged 12 to 18 were associated with reOVER ferrals which were not appropriately progressed. Most crimes involved public order, theft, traffic and criminal damage.

Many perpetrators had a history of reoffending and considerable contact with gardai but their cases were not appropriately progressed amid changes to the system, Mr Harris said.

The Commissioner told the Irish Justice Committee 96% of cases were dealt with correctly, suggesting many members of his force knew they had to prepare a file and submit that for consideration for prosecution.

Mr Harris said 3,414 Garda members were associated with cases which were not appropriately referred. Of these, 184 are no longer serving.