How to charge a politician with a crime?

demonspawn

So I was just wondering, how do you get the wheels in motion for a criminal investigation into the dealings of corrupt politicians? Do we need to wait for someone with authority and a backbone to press charges against these scumbags? Surely a private citizen of Ireland can have these pigs investigated for theft, bribery, corruption, etc. Can we take these complaints to the EU?

demonspawn

Eh...requesting this be moved to the general politics forum. :rolleyes:

Cookie_Monster

I'd imagine you first need a lot of solid evidence, rather than just suspicion

demonspawn

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

I'd imagine you first need a lot of solid evidence, rather than just suspicion

Well I suppose that goes without saying, but how do you go about having a politician investigated for corruption or fraud? 15 years of tribunals must have uncovered something, yet no politicians have been charged with anything as far as I'm aware.

I'd love to see Bertie Ahern and Charlie McSleazy investigated by the fraud squad (actually, I'd like to see four lads with hurleys "having a chat" with Bertie in some darkened alley, but that's just fantasy). Will this ever happen? Maybe after the investigation of Anglo-Irish? Or will we see more 15 year tribunals costing the Irish taxpayer millions?

mikemac

demonspawn wrote: »

Surely a private citizen of Ireland can have these pigs investigated for theft, bribery, corruption, etc.

As I understand it, Ivor Callely was reported to the Gardai for fraud.

So if you have evidence on somebody, stroll down to your local station and escalate it.

Probably nothing will ever happen but it'll achieve more then starting threads here.
I don't mean that in a smart way.
Just if you have information then take action on it

And Ray Burke was jailed over tax returns so you can't say nobody was ever charged.

Elevator

ya a simple complaint at your local Garda station should gt the ball rolling,

you'll probably have to sign a statement so would wanna be solid info

demonspawn

Awesome, thanks! I wonder if there's any interest in starting a collection for a few private investigators to dig around and see what they find. Maybe I could start a non-profit called "Jail Corrupt Politicians". Anyone remember those stickers?

mikemac

No, nobody is going to pay money to private investigators.

We have journalists who can do this.
And we have a Standards in Public office Commission who are paid to do this.
Plus the relevant committee in the Dáil who are supposed to oversee actions taken.
And the gardaí who can investigate fraud.
Not forgetting the party whip who is supposed to enforce standards

Fund the private investigators yourself

demonspawn

feelingstressed wrote: »

No, nobody is going to pay money to private investigators.

We have journalists who can do this.
And we have a Standards in Public office Commission who are paid to do this.
Plus the relevant committee in the Dáil who are supposed to oversee actions taken.
And the gardaí who can investigate fraud.
Not forgetting the party whip who is supposed to enforce standards

Fund the private investigators yourself

Hmm..relying on the "old boys club" to investigate one of their own.

There was a complaint made against Bertie by a member of the public years ago. The Standards in Public Office Commission considered investigating, but then didn't bother...

http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/Reports/AnnualReports/AnnualReport2007/Name,8577,en.htm

Hazlittle

Correct me if I am wrong.

Under common law and statutes, our system creates entities called corporations. The government as such is a corporation. So a lot of tings that ordinary citizens can be trialed for can be deferred to the corporation if caused by an politician.

This is of course is blasphemy according to the bible.

mikemac

demonspawn wrote: »

Hmm..relying on the "old boys club" to investigate one of their own.

Better then donating money to some OP on boards.ie who wants to start a crusade

demonspawn wrote: »

There was a complaint made against Bertie by a member of the public years ago. The Standards in Public Office Commission considered investigating, but then didn't bother...

http://www.sipo.gov.ie/en/Reports/AnnualReports/AnnualReport2007/Name,8577,en.htm

Yep, and this goes back to my first post which stated

As I understand it, Ivor Callely was reported to the Gardai for fraud.

So if you have evidence on somebody, stroll down to your local station and escalate it.

Probably nothing will ever happen but it'll achieve more then starting threads here.

So if you want action, forget about getting donations here.
If you have evidence of corruption, go the gardai and escalate so something gets done

demonspawn

feelingstressed wrote: »

Better then donating money to some OP on boards.ie who wants to start a crusade

It wasn't really a serious suggestion, but maybe someone with the funds and inclination will take the idea and run with it.


To be honest, I was looking for a body outside of the Irish political scene that could investigate these people. I don't trust any department or organization in Ireland to fully investigate these crooks. Isn't there some kind of international body that deals with political corruption?

jimmycrackcorm

The answer to the ops question is quit quite simple as it is as relevant to anyone and not just politicians. First of all identify the law being broken and then identify some evidence of such activity being undertaken.

I mean there's never any threads bring posted that ask what is required if you saw someone that was apparently attempting a burglary?

demonspawn

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

The answer to the ops question is quit quite simple as it is as relevant to anyone and not just politicians. First of all identify the law being broken and then identify some evidence of such activity being undertaken.

I mean there's never any threads bring posted that ask what is required if you saw someone that was apparently attempting a burglary?

Well considering the new libel laws, it's really nothing like reporting a common crime is it? I mean, I can't be sent to jail for accusing someone of breaking into my house can I? On top of that, I imagine it would be pretty hard to find someone willing to prosecute corrupt politicians with said libel laws. So yeah, it's not as easy as you may think.

jimmycrackcorm

True. You cannot libel someone. E.g. I cannot accuse you of being a criminal example. But if I saw you trying to hotwire a car then I don't think they're is an issue.

Really what we need is the ability to create retrospective laws. Fingers didn't break any law when he destroyed his bank and yet received his pension top up and bonus. So we should be able to crate as law that says you sold have known better and now have to pay the price by handing it all back.

PeterIanStaker

feelingstressed wrote: »

We have journalists who can do this.

The question was charge the politicians, not defend them

limklad

Ireland do not convict politicians. Ireland not a Carlburg ad, well, maybe to politicians.