19 Garda probes into claims of Pulse abuse
GARDA authorities have started 19 investigations into alleged misuse by gardaí of the Pulse internal computer system in just 14 months.
The inquiries were launched by the Internal Affairs discipline section at Garda HQ.
Of 15 investigations started in 2018, a total of three have been closed as the officers were found not to be in breach of discipline but the rest of the files remain ‘live’, said Charlie Flanagan
In a written Dáil reply to TD Catherine Murphy, the Justice Minister said that so far this year the discipline section at Garda Internal Affairs has opened four new investigations.
The combined number of 19 files opened into alleged misuse of Pulse over the last 14 months is in addition to 62 files opened in a preceding four-and-a-half years.
Last June a former garda, Jimell Henry, 36, of Cairns Hill, Sligo, was jailed for 18 months after she admitted passing information to criminals from the Pulse system. It was the first time in the history of the State that such a prosecution had come before the courts.
In sentencing, Judge Keenan Johnson said: ‘By her actions the accused put investigations and more importantly lives at risk’.
Most alleged Pulse misuse cases, however, are dealt with by internal Garda disciplinary processes.
A Garda spokeswoman said: ‘The Garda Síochána deals with a lot of information including sensitive information from a range of stakeholders including victims, witnesses, offenders, State agencies and overseas police organisations, and this information must be respected and treated in accordance with law and the principles of data protection. Each reported case of misuse of Pulse is assessed, investigated and dealt with on its own facts and could result in criminal and or disciplinary proceedings up to and including dismissal.’
In 2014, some 17 gardaí were found to be in breach of discipline following inquiries. In 2015 a total of six gardaí were found to be in breach of discipline, with one found to be in breach in 2016.
Mr Flanagan said findings against gardaí under the misuse of Pulse may fall under the breach of ‘neglect of duty’ or ‘discreditable conduct’ among others.
In the figures provided, Mr Flanagan revealed that five discipline files were opened in 2015, with 16 opened in 2015 and six in 2013.
For the first six months of 2017, a further nine were opened.
Social Democrats TD Ms Murphy said new discipline files continue to be opened by the Garda authorities concerning Pulse.
The Kildare North politician said: ‘Perhaps the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007 are not robust enough as a deterrent for serving members.
‘In contrast, civilian staff would be disciplined under Civil Service Disciplinary Code [and] have far lower rates in terms of breaching the rules around accessing data.
‘However I am satisfied the numbers are remain quite low when you contrast them with the overall number of staff in An Garda Síochána.’ She added that ‘the Pulse system is not without its flaws and every apparent breach or abuse may not actually be a true reflection of the motives of the personnel accessing the system and data’.
System ‘not without its flaws’