26 M PAID OUT TO GARDA VICTIMS; Claims made over abuse and rights.

Byline: PAT FLANAGAN 

THE GARDAI have paid out more than pounds 6million to people claiming they were abused or mistreated by officers in the past five years, it was revealed yesterday.

The vast majority of the payouts were for alleged assault, unlawful arrest or other breach of citizens' rights and 96 per cent were settled out of court.

The figures were obtained from the government by Labour's justice spokesman Joe Costello.

He said the high level of out-of-court settlements suggests a policy which is designed "to minimise negative publicity for the force".

Mr Costello added: "These are alarming figures and suggest a far wider problem in regard to abuses by the Gardai than had previously been realised.

"This indicates a far higher level of claims against the force than suggested by the handful of high profile cases we have seen before the courts in recent years."

Of the EUR6.08million in pay-outs only EUR246,197 - or four per cent - was made in court.

The figures, obtained form the Department of Justice in response to a Dail question, show:

EUR1.3MILLION - 21.4 per cent - was paid in respect of assaults by gardai on members of the public

/ EUR1.04million- 17.6 per cent - was paid in respect of unlawful arrests

/ EUR3.74million - 61 per cent - in respect of various unspecified breaches of citizens' rights.

Mr Costello has now called on Justice Minister Michael McDowell and Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne to make a statement on the payouts.

And he also wants details of disciplinary action taken by the authorities against the officers responsible.

Mr Costello said the figures show the need for the early introduction of a Garda Ombudsman and the establishment of an Independent Garda Authority to ensure there is "proper accountability".