Gardai keeping my things...

DigiGal

I'm not sure if this is a PI exactly so Mods feel free to move

So I was mugged in February this year and the Gardai caught the mugger. He had my Digital Camera, MP3 player (My OH's) and My purse in his pocket, they also took my jacket as evidence

They told me they needed to keep these things for a couple of weeks until the crime was processed and then I would get them back. However I still have heard no word
I need my camera for college and the Jacket was belonging to my mum and is sentimental. I rang the Garda dealing with the incident 4 times in the past 2 weeks but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.

I'm getting really annoyed as the trial has gone ahead and they no longer need to keep these items

I talked to friends who had similar incidents and they said once something is in the Garda Station you can kiss it goodbye because they never give it back.

My debs photos are on that camera and I want it back.
What should I do?

humanji

Go into the garda station in person and ask for the stuff back. Don't let them fob you off by saying someone will get back to you, tell them you need it and want to talk to someone who can get it for you now.

DigiGal

Thanks Humanji
I went to the Garda station a couple of weeks back. They left me witing there for half an hour then came out to tell me the Gardai I was dealing with doesn't start work till 1am so there was nothing they could do for me. Should I just keep going in?

humanji

I'm afraid you'll have to keep going back. Basically, keep pestering them until they give in. Ask them what times the guy starts at to see if there's a more reasonable hour, or failing that, you may even have to make a trip in at 1am, if he's always on that shift.

Bottle_of_Smoke

DigiGal wrote: »

Thanks Humanji
I went to the Garda station a couple of weeks back. They left me witing there for half an hour then came out to tell me the Gardai I was dealing with doesn't start work till 1am so there was nothing they could do for me. Should I just keep going in?

Yeah, find out when the guard who deals with it will be there. Show up at 1am if neccesary.

If they keep fobbing you off I'd go to the ombudsman. They should have efficient procedures for this kind of thing.

Miss Fluff

I'd go to the Garda Ombudsman tbh, it's nearly been a year!

User Friendly

Digical....... speak to his Sargent,if he's not available,address a letter to Him(the sargent that is) forget about the Guard.

DigiGal

I will try going at 1 am. If not I will contact the Ombudsman.

ztoical

OP go in and speak to them again but make sure to bring a note pad with you and write down all the information and anyone you speak to ask for their names and write them down. My brother had a something like this happen when his flat was broken into and after getting no where for a while he went in with a note pad and started taking notes, he was asked what he was doing and he said he was making notes for himself incase he needed the information for when he spoke to the Ombudsman and like magic everything got cleared up. You've nothin to loose as worse case you've got some notes taken down if you do go to the Ombudsman.

John Mason

Just tell them you are going to the obusman - it scares the crap out of them.

i had a 4 year arguement with my local station, i eventually turned around and said "i have been touch with the ombusman and am going in tomorrow to make a statement" - the problem went away there and then :rolleyes:

LighterGuy

I've heard of a few things going "missing" in gardai storage if you get me. Thought it was stuff that they couldnt identify the owner. (How naive of me :P )

I remember a few months ago being told by a guy I know about him buying a phone from a bloke who is a gardai. A touch screen 086 Phone :pac: Thing had reception problems.

calibelle

Hi op. The garda in question probably isn't getting your messages or is extremely busy and just keeps forgetting. Also they do work shifts so he/she will be there at different times on different days. 4 times in 2 weeks isn't a huge amount when you consider how much they actually have to get through and they are human and need days off too!
Have you written a letter to remind him/her? Or found out what his shifts are and rang then?
If you don't get any joy I'd suggest contacting the people above him within the station, I can't remember the ranks but I'm sure if you post in es they will tell you.....or you could ask at the station!
Forget about the ombudsman until you have tried all the easy ways!!

pwd

Are they entitled to keep it though? I was on a jury where the victim's phone was given to us as evidence; clearly hadn't been returned to him in the meantime, and appeared to have personal stuff on it (photo of his child as the wallpaper).

I would make an issue of it though. I've knew two sons of gardai, and they both suggested they received a lot of confiscated evidence as prezzies. Even if they keep it until trial, they would be unlikely to try anything like that if you are making it clear you are looking for it back.

January

pwd wrote: »

Are they entitled to keep it though? I was on a jury where the victim's phone was given to us as evidence; clearly hadn't been returned to him in the meantime, and appeared to have personal stuff on it (photo of his child as the wallpaper).

I would make an issue of it though. I've knew two sons of gardai, and they both suggested they received a lot of confiscated evidence as prezzies. Even if they keep it until trial, they would be unlikely to try anything like that if you are making it clear you are looking for it back.

According to the OP the trial is done and dusted.

Jo King

Write a letter to the Superintendent. Keep and copy and proof of posting!

DigiGal

calibelle wrote: »

Hi op. The garda in question probably isn't getting your messages or is extremely busy and just keeps forgetting. Also they do work shifts so he/she will be there at different times on different days. 4 times in 2 weeks isn't a huge amount when you consider how much they actually have to get through and they are human and need days off too!
Have you written a letter to remind him/her? Or found out what his shifts are and rang then?
If you don't get any joy I'd suggest contacting the people above him within the station, I can't remember the ranks but I'm sure if you post in es they will tell you.....or you could ask at the station!
Forget about the ombudsman until you have tried all the easy ways!!

I have rang a further 5 times and called in 10 minutes before he started his 1 am shift. I still was not allowed to see him. I rang the Garda Station and asked to talk to someone in charge, they put me through to the sargent. I spoke to him and explained the situation, he told me there was nothing he could do I'd have to speak to the Garda in charge.

I have sent an email to the info service in the ombudsman, hopefully they will contact the station before I have to make a complaint

calibelle

His sergent wouldn't help? That's odd!!! Well I hope you get it sorted out - sounds like you've done all you can at the station now.

Turner

Ring his Superintendent.

Hes the boss man of all the Gardai in the district and will get you an answer.

Big Bag of Chips

You're being fobbed off because it's not "important" to them... (either that or you're being fobbed off because one of their kids already has your camera and mp3 player!)

You are probably meeting different gardaí too, each time you call in so there is no continuity as such. Everybody who sees you is only seeing you for the first time, and are not all that bothered about telling you to come back.

I like the idea of the notebook to take down names, numbers, dates and times etc. I would imagine it will be sorted pretty quickly if they see you mean business.

DigiGal

Big Bag of Chips wrote: »

You're being fobbed off because it's not "important" to them... (either that or you're being fobbed off because one of their kids already has your camera and mp3 player!)

You are probably meeting different gardaí too, each time you call in so there is no continuity as such. Everybody who sees you is only seeing you for the first time, and are not all that bothered about telling you to come back.

I like the idea of the notebook to take down names, numbers, dates and times etc. I would imagine it will be sorted pretty quickly if they see you mean business.

I'll give that a try when I ring this evening.

calibelle

Did you ring his superintendent as suggested or who are you calling this eve?

nimrodsson

Unfortunately this is atypical of the Gardai - you always have to talk to the particular Gard, and he/she is always unavailable. You've done enough - forget emailing the ombudsman, call them, or call personally. Its an unfortunate last resort, but when you're dealing with a body that is that unprofessional, regrettably, its all you can do.

I had a similar incident - after weeks of calling to the station, i got a "sure, he's gone back to templemore".. as if that was the most legitimate reason in the world. What do i care where he is, i inquired, i'm only interested in what affects me in this instance. They didn't get that; predictably.

unattendedbag

The Garda Ombudsman will not investigate a complaint of this nature. It is too minor and more than likely you will only be making a complaint that will be passed onto the Superintendent.

Write a letter of complaint to the superintendent of the District. In clude the Garda' name and number. This will find its way to the Garda and it will require a swift response otherwise internal discipline comes into the equation. Mention in this letter that you are making an application under the police property act. Under this act you are entitled to compensation if the property cannot be returned as expected.

Is the case definately finished with? Has the person being found guilty or not guilty at a hearing? If it hasnt got to that stage yet then it is still required as evidence. If the case is finished with then you are entitled to your property back.

The problem seems to be in tracking down the Garda. Try to get a opy of his roster for the coming weeks and keep ringing the station at the start of every shift he's working and hound him down.

calex71

To throw the cat among the pigeons here , more thinking out loud really so no basis in fact and am likely having a brain fart.

Small claims court if all else fails

I'm sure that would go down well, maybe those in the know could say if that lead zeppelin will float?

ddef

Seriously that is absolutely rediculous you still don't have your belongings back. You have done all you can, I think its time to make a court date. Im sorry to say the majority of gaurds I've dealt with are like this and need a proper kick up the arse to get the ball rolling.
good luck and I hope you get your belongings back.

DigiGal

So I rang this evening explaining that I was going to contact the Ombudsman. I asked for the number of the Garda I was talking to and took it down. Again I still got the same thing...he'll get back to you....so we'll see

DigiGal

Yes the hearing has been over since August....

Fox McCloud

Jesus they're as bad as the mugger! What is the point in catching a thief if they steal your stuff straight after?
It really does sound like your things are already given away or sold..
How hard is it to get a guy to call you?

I think you should ring the superintendent and make a complaint, and try get info from the ombudsman even if they wont deal with small complaints.