The Explainer x Noteworthy: Is GSOC fit for purpose?

Journalists Mick Clifford of The Examiner and Alice Chambers of Noteworthy tell Susan Daly about the Garda watchdog’s severe and ongoing problems.

By Laura Byrne Assistant News Editor

	 Design for WATCHING THE WATCHDOGS project featuring a pink Garda station light with a stack of papers in yellow in the background. The Noteworthy logo is on top.

“Resources and power. Those two elements have, to my mind, been at the centre of why GSOC has not been able to function to the satisfaction of a lot of people in the public.”

That is according to journalist Mick Clifford, on the ongoing problems that need to be tackled in order to have an effective Garda watchdog. 

In the latest in-depth series by investigative platform Noteworthy, investigative reporter Alice Chambers examines how the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) handles public complaints and uncovers a process that is slow, lacking in transparency and enforcement powers.

Our WATCHING THE WATCHDOG series finds half of GSOC’s cases are handed to the gardaí to investigate, there’s no appeals process and few sanctions. Complainants are left with questions and are frustrated.

This week, in an episode of The Explainer brought to you by Noteworthy, Clifford joins the podcast. The Examiner columnist and special correspondent has reported extensively on the Garda watchdog. 

Presenter Susan Daly also chats with Chambers about her investigation’s findings. 


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This episode was put together by Alice Chambers, Susan Daly, Maria Delaney and producer Laura Byrne.

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