Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This issue is slightly different from the breath test scandal, although no less serious, as it has had a direct impact on individual citizens, some of whom perhaps faced more serious consequences than a mere fine. I raised with the Policing Authority last week the fact that the Irish Examinerhad reported that in several cases people had faced more serious consequences. The case of a man in Cork who had been incarcerated on foot of a false prosecution, served time in prison and consequently emigrated was reported in the Irish Examineron 20 September. Another case it reported involved a person who had been arrested at her home in front of her neighbours and sent to Limerick Prison, which must have been very embarrassing for her.

The process of contacting people in relation to fines and so on involves a large category of people. When I raised this issue with the Policing Authority, its chairperson, Ms Josephine Feehily, said it had put the broader question of impact beyond just a conviction on the Garda agenda as long ago as last March and pointed out that the Garda would need to think very seriously about the broader impact on those who might have lost their livelihood or licence and be prepared for actions that might be taken against it. She would not be surprised if civil actions were to ensue in several cases. However, she also stated she was not aware of a process having been begun by the Garda to deal with the matter. There are very serious implications involving the loss of liberty or livelihood or damage to reputation. Has a process to deal with that issue begun? Has the Garda prepared for such possible actions and is it aware of how many people potentially faced imprisonment or other serious consequences as a result of the false prosecutions taken?