Giving a statement

Thoie

I've just been asked by the gardai to give a statement about something I witnessed about 2 months ago. I have no problem with giving a statement, the problem is when I hadn't heard back about it, I'd pretty much forgotten it until they phoned me.

My memory is pretty hazy at this stage - I can say it was daylight, but I couldn't even go so far as to say whether it was morning or afternoon, certainly no idea of the date or day of the week. I can remember that it was in a 300m radius of area x, but couldn't pin it down any closer than that. There is a vague possibility that I might recognise the person involved, but seeing as how I have difficulties remembering what I was wearing yesterday, or recognising my friends when I walk into a pub, I really couldn't swear to much more than the sex of the person.

Would I be wasting everyone's time by giving such a vague statement? I presume as they're calling me now, they must think they have some hope of a conviction (they specifically mentioned that I'd have to go to court). I've no problem going to court and saying what I can remember, but the details are so vague as to be practically useless (imo).

So, gardai, is a witness with this fuzzy a memory of any use whatsoever?

mcguiver

Every witness is a good witness.
You'll be amazed how much you willl remember if the right questions are asked. Little things that seem insignificant to you can help convict the right peron, or clear the wrong person.

Obviously depending on the seriouness of the offence, more homework will be done by the Garda. I had a woman who had no real recollection of particular events, but she was able to tell me she got a certain number bus that morning, getting off at a certain stop. Check of c.c.t.v. gave me time, what she was wearing, which way she went, where the bad guy came on scene etc. etc. It's the little details that win or lose a case.

Ideally a statement should be taken when things are fresh in your memory, but unfortunately Garda resorces/shift patterns/ court comitments dont help.

Think of yourself/ your mother/granny etc. as the injured party.... then you would want statements from anyone who could give any help.

Thoie

Thanks, will head down later. For those interested, this wasn't a "serious" crime (with a victim), but obviously it was still a crime. Hopefully if it had been a crime with a victim I'd remember more (or have made a note of things)

TheNog

This sometimes happens usually when the Injured Party does not make a statement for some time after the incident. We cannot initiate an investigation into an incident until the I/P makes that statement of complaint so the earlier the better.

As for remembering the incident just say it to the garda when ye first meet. The Garda will have details recorded in his/her notebook and some of these willjog your memory. I also find it handy to talk about the incident with any witness and maybe going through it 2-3 times so all or nearly all details can be remembered and the witness is comfortable enough to make the statement.

JJ22

Don't know if this is the right post for this thread?!but its to do with statements.Maybe TheNog will be able to answer this for me?:)
Last year, I was involved in an incident and was contacted by the Gardai and asked to make a statement and i refused due to situation, just wondering is a record kept of your involvement in the incident and that you refused to make a statement?etc
Reading through this thread just made me wonder....thanks:)

TheNog

JJ22 wrote: »

Don't know if this is the right post for this thread?!but its to do with statements.Maybe TheNog will be able to answer this for me?:)
Last year, I was involved in an incident and was contacted by the Gardai and asked to make a statement and i refused due to situation, just wondering is a record kept of your involvement in the incident and that you refused to make a statement?etc
Reading through this thread just made me wonder....thanks:)

Well it is up to the Garda and Superintendent. If the incident was serious enough it would be recorded on PULSE with the details (inclu your own details) but when you refused to make a statement that too would be included in the narrative.

At the end of the day it is up to you if you wish to make a statement or not. There should be no pressure on you or any reprecussions for not making a statement.

Hooch

TheNog wrote: »

Well it is up to the Garda and Superintendent. If the incident was serious enough it would be recorded on PULSE with the details (inclu your own details) but when you refused to make a statement that too would be included in the narrative.

At the end of the day it is up to you if you wish to make a statement or not. There should be no pressure on you or any reprecussions for not making a statement.

Unless the incident warranted you being arrested for with holding information about a crime like a case i had a year back. With holding information etc sec 30. But that would only be for the bigger cases where we know someone knows something but isnt stating that.:D
(ie murder/rape/firearms cases)