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Total of 19 protected disclosures to GSOC in 2020

New figures show that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) received 19 protected disclosures from gardaí last year.

According to its annual report on protected disclosures, there were also 67 disclosures carried over from 2019, giving a total of 86 cases.

The 2020 report said two cases were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration last year, but no prosecution was directed in either case, with both subsequently reverting to a disciplinary investigation under the Garda Síochána rules.

Five disclosures withdrawn

GSOC said 11 cases were closed in 2020, leaving 75 on hand at the end of the year.

Of the 11 closed, five were withdrawn, while four were found not to have reached the threshold of wrongdoing under legislation. Two other cases were sent to the Garda Commissioner.

Under section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, public bodies are required to publish an annual report outlining the number of protected disclosures received in the preceding year.

No protected disclosures were made by GSOC employees during the year.