DPP opened 15 prosecutions after Fiosrú probes

Fiosrú received 2,706 public complaints about gardaí during its first nine months of operation in 2025, according to the police oversight body’s first annual report.

The independent body was established on 2 April 2025 following the appointment of Police Ombudsman Emily Logan under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024.

The report outlines the work carried out by Fiosrú in handling complaints against members of An Garda Síochána and conducting independent investigations into alleged criminal and disciplinary matters involving gardaí.

More than half of all complaints received during the reporting period were deemed admissible.

Of the 1,440 admissible complaints, 717 were referred back to An Garda Síochána for resolution under Fiosrú’s new statutory powers.

These complaints related mainly to service and performance issues, including discourtesy and failures to properly investigate matters.

The remaining complaints were investigated directly by Fiosrú.

Abuse of authority

The main allegations concerned abuse of authority, criminal offences and neglect of duty.

Fiosrú also opened 30 independent investigations into serious incidents referred by An Garda Síochána where the actions or omissions of a garda may have resulted in death or serious harm.

Thirteen of these investigations related to fatalities.

During the reporting period, 61 investigation files were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on the grounds that a criminal offence may have been committed by a garda.

The DPP directed 15 criminal prosecutions arising from Fiosrú investigations.

The report details expanded powers granted to the body under the 2024 legislation, including authority to make systemic recommendations regarding Garda policies and procedures.

Fiosrú also established three specialist units during its first year of operation:

• A rapid response unit,
• A specialist services unit dealing with domestic, sexual and gender-based violence cases, and
• A digital investigations unit focused on evidence recovery and analysis from devices such as mobile phones, CCTV and body-worn cameras.

Almost one-third of complaints received related to dissatisfaction with Garda investigations.

Complaints connected to roads policing accounted for 15%, while 12% related to concerns during arrests.

The Dublin Metropolitan Region accounted for the highest number of complaints at 1,098.

Outside Dublin, the Garda divisions with the highest complaint numbers were Kildare/Carlow, Wexford/Wicklow and Meath/Westmeath.

Ombudsman Emily Logan said Fiosrú had operated “at considerable pace and scale” during its first year under its expanded remit and enhanced powers.