How do you go about finding your own criminal record?

hollygirls

I've done some research and there seem to be a few options for getting information held on you by the Gardai, does anyone know which option is best and will give a full level of detail?
1) fill in a data protection access request and send to an Gardai
2) apply for a police certificate
3) fill in garda vetting form
4) would a local Garda station have that kind of info?

thanks.

hollygirls

I've obviously posted this in the wrong forum, my apologies. Can anyone recommend where I might find the answer? We tried a local garda station but they did not know the best option and basically said 'sure it'll be grand'. I know it might sound odd but a friend is trying to find out the exact charge of a crime that happened years ago, there must be a way to do this?

TouchingVirus

Please see this page on Data Protection on the Garda Síochána website, specifically section 4.8 about receiving a copy of your data. You need to submit a request in writing to the Garda Vetting Office in Thurles. They will release everything they have on you. You can outline what you desire specifically in your FOI request

Pat Mustard

I would say that you might get better answers in the Emergency Services forum.

Sometimes solicitors' clients are unable to give accurate information about their own previous convictions. In those circumstances, some solicitors will contact the Gardai to find out the correct information.

It seems to me that Gardai may wary about giving out information to the public. Whilst I understand that you are only looking for information which concerns you, my guess is that it is possible that you may encounter some reluctance.

You could ask the Gardai. You could ask for opinions in the Emergency Services forum. You could ask a solicitor to look after it for you.


EDIT: I have just seen TouchingVirus's post, which is extremely relevant.

carzony

''fill in a data protection access request and send to an Gardai''

I'd say that'd give you the best detail? as far as I know everything is logged even if you report a crime it's recorded.

I could be wrong there though....

hollygirls

ok, many thanks.

Cody Pomeray

If it is only a very specific query you could save yourself time and €6 (is it still €6? it may have gone up in the last round of charges) and have a chat with one of the officers in your local station about this. Take some ID, they're likely to be quite helpful.

Techno_Toaster

I'm not sure if things have changed but I had to fill in a Garda vetting form for a college course and I sent it of myself to thurles. Got a letter back with my fee attached to say they don't vet individuals and you needed to do it through an organisation. The college ended up doing it on my behalf.

carzony

Techno_Toaster wrote: »

I'm not sure if things have changed but I had to fill in a Garda vetting form for a college course and I sent it of myself to thurles. Got a letter back with my fee attached to say they don't vet individuals and you needed to do it through an organisation. The college ended up doing it on my behalf.

well i'v read the website on data protection and from what i'v read your entitled to any information they have on you, Doesn't mention you have to have any organisation get the details for you.

I'd say you can get any information they have, no bother:D

Techno_Toaster

carzony wrote: »

well i'v read the website on data protection and from what i'v read your entitled to any information they have on you, Doesn't mention you have to have any organisation get the details for you.

I'd say you can get any information they have, no bother:D

As I said it may have changed. It was 3 years when I applied and it was a guard in the local station who gave me the form to fill out and send off but I got it back with a letter stating they didn't do individual vetting in thurles

EDIT: According to Citizens Information there's a different form you fill in for Data Protection Information. http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/Data%20Protection%20F20%20-%20Nov%2012.pdf

The form I filled in was a Garda Vetting one which is different

carzony

Techno_Toaster wrote: »

As I said it may have changed. It was 3 years when I applied and it was a guard in the local station who gave me the form to fill out and send off but I got it back with a letter stating they didn't do individual vetting in thurles

EDIT: According to Citizens Information there's a different form you fill in for Data Protection Information. http://www.garda.ie/Documents/User/Data%20Protection%20F20%20-%20Nov%2012.pdf

The form I filled in was a Garda Vetting one which is different

oh sorry mate, fs theres so many forms no wonder people get confused