Recording and Videotaping Laws

Michael Collins

Hey,

Does anyone know what kind of "wiretapping" laws we have in Ireland? Specifically, it is legal to record (audio or audio & video) a member of An Garda while they're on duty, say by a passenger while they are breathalyzing the driver of a car? Or in any other situation when they are acting in an official capacity?

How about recording people on the street in general? I mean RTE do this all the time on Grafton St. etc, but I guess they can't follow a random person around the streets without a good reason (e.g. doing it is somehow in the national interest/intrigue)?

Thanks.

Paulw

This might be of use - http://visualartists.ie/resources/infopool-2/legaltechnical-guides/copyright-and-the-visual-artist/

Nothing you have posted at all relates to wiretapping.

I can see no law against recording a Garda in the course of their duties (provided they are not a member of a specialist unit or undercover).

You can record anyone in a public place when they do not have an expectation of privacy. However, following someone could be considered harassment.

Michael Collins

Cheers, I will check out that link.

Videotaping of police officers in America comes under their "wiretapping" laws - just for the audio part I believe. People have often been arrested in the US for videotaping officiers with the audio turned on:

http://www.helium.com/items/498845-jail-time-for-video-taping-police
http://thehive.modbee.com/node/17656
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/06/15/AR2010061505556.html

MagicSean

Doesn't the offences against the state act contain something about gathering information on the gardaí? I could be mistaken.