'Transparency should not be optional when it comes to policing': Garda chief cannot say how many of his serving officers have CRIMINAL convictions - as TD reacts to his jawdropping reason for not knowing

Published: 20:19, 5 August 2026 | Updated: 20:21, 5 August 2026 The Garda Commissioner has said it would take a ‘disproportionate amount of time’ to establish how many serving members of An Garda Síochána have criminal convictions. Responding to a Dáil question from Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway–Walsh, Commissioner Justin Kelly said the information is ‘not held centrally’ and that compiling it would require a ‘disproportionate amount of time and resources’. The response was met with disbelief by Deputy Conway–Walsh, who called for greater transparency and described the Commissioner’s answer as ‘deeply concerning’. ‘People reporting crimes deserve the reassurance that the garda taking their complaint has not themselves been convicted of that very offence,’ she said. ‘If the State cannot say how many serving gardaí have criminal convictions because the information is not held centrally, then there is a serious failure of oversight.’ The Garda Commissioner has said it would take a ‘disproportionate amount of time’ to establish how many serving members of An Garda Síochána have criminal convictions The TD also said that it should not take the bravery of former garda Margaret Loftus speaking out to force this Government to answer basic questions about accountability. Ms Loftus encountered what she described as repeated ‘systemic and institutional shortcomings’ across the policing and justice systems after she was assaulted by her husband, garda Trevor Bolger, at their home in Co. Mayo in 2012. ‘Transparency should not be optional when it comes to policing.  'The public deserves answers, and the Minister must explain whether the law and current garda disciplinary processes are sufficient to ensure officers convicted of criminal offences remain fit to serve.’ The Mayo TD added that, ‘People rightly expect that those who are tasked by the State to enforce the law adhere to the law themselves.’ Ms Conway–Walsh previously told the MoS public confidence is ‘undermined’ if members of gardaí are allowed to continue serving despite criminal convictions. ‘When a victim of gender–based violence reports a crime, they need to know the gardaí conducting the investigation have not been convicted of the same or another crime. ‘Gardaí also deserve to know that their co–workers have upheld the law themselves.  'I await with interest answers to my questions to the Minister for Justice and the Garda Commissioner as to the number of serving gardaí who have criminal convictions.’ Ms Conway–Walsh previously told the MoS public confidence is ‘undermined’ if members of gardaí are allowed to continue serving despite criminal convictions In response to queries, An Garda Síochána told the MoS it ‘does not comment on remarks from third parties’. A Department of Justice spokesman said, ‘The collation and publication of crime statistics are a matter for the Central Statistics Office, and collation of data on convictions is a function of the courts.’ He continued: ‘Minister O’Callaghan, after engaging with An Garda Síochána, garda representative associations, and other stakeholders, brought forward revised Conduct Regulations in April 2025. ‘The Conduct Regulations provide a standalone statutory framework for the Commissioner to address misconduct and gross misconduct by garda members. ‘Section 51 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act allows the Commissioner to dismiss a garda below the rank of Chief Superintendent if the Commissioner is of the opinion that their continued status as a member of An Garda Síochána would undermine public confidence in An Garda Síochána. ‘This provision strengthens the Commissioner’s position by placing the power of public–interest dismissal on a clear legislative footing, separate from and additional to the conduct process under the Conduct Regulations.  'This provision is, of course, subject to statutory procedures and safeguards.’ Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.