Calls For Garda Commissioner To Appear Before Justice Committee On Handling Of 999 Calls From Domestic Abuse Victims

Friday, 25 June 2021 09:11

File image: Garda Commissioner, Drew Harris/RollingNews

Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD, James Lawless, is chair of the committee.

There's calls for the Garda Commissioner to appear before the Oireachtas Justice Committee over the handling of 999 calls from domestic abuse victims.

Kildare North Fianna Fáil TD, James Lawless, is chair of the committee.

The call comes after an inquiry found over 3,100 emergency calls made by victims between 2019 and last October were not followed up on by gardai.

Over a third had a valid reason for being marked as cancelled but 45 percent are now being investigated further.

Garda Commissioner Drew Harris has apologised to victims and says an inquiry has been established.

But Sinn Fein's justice spokesperson Martin Kenny says an independent investigation needs to take place to restore trust in the force:

Kenny says the extent of the scandal needs to be properly investigated:

Justice Minister Heather Humphreys has said incidences in which domestic abuse victims had their 999 calls erroneously cancelled "should not have happened" https://t.co/MtPVTlUuKi
— TheJournal.ie (@thejournal_ie) June 25, 2021

The Justice Minister Heather Humphreys says the Garda Commission has assured her that a new process has been put in place.

CEO of Barnardos, Suzanne Connolly, says she hopes the controversy doesn't deter victims of domestic violence from contacting Gardai

Women's Aid says it's critical trust in the Gardai is restored

CEO, Sarah Benson

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