Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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Question 18: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount paid out in compensation in respect of claims made against members of the gardaí in respect of each of the past five years for wrongful arrest, assault and for other reasons, broken down by amounts awarded by the courts and by claims settled in advance of court hearings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31152/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The detailed information requested by the Deputy on damages paid in respect of civil claims against members of the Garda Síochána is set out in the table. It is also available on my Department's website.

In summary, the total amount paid out in court awards, legal costs and out of court settlements amounted to approximately €939,000 in 2004, €4.9 million in 2005, €2 million in 2006, €14 million in 2007, €7 million in 2008 and €3 million so far this year. The sharp spike in damages in 2007 and to a lesser extent in 2008 can be substantially attributed to Donegal-related cases, which have so far cost the State around €10 million, with 20 cases still on hand.