Garda gave out phone number & home address

justmehere

Hi,
Had a minor bump with another car coming out of a carpark yesterday, nothing noticeable nor serious, but my fault. Garda just happened to be nearby ticketing another driver for something :-P Anyway didn't even need to talk to the other driver as the gardai saw it - gave my details to the garda, presumably garda took details of other driver too. He asked me to bring proof of insurance into the station within 10 days - I did it that afternoon. Then rang the insurance company telling them the story, they said they'd look after it, and I thought that was that, putting it down to experience.

Imagine my surprise when the driver rings me this morning at my house wanting 450 to get the 'damage' fixed. Tells me that the garda gave her my number AND my home address, she actually told me my address so I know that was true. God knows what kind of hassle this person is going to cause me now.

My question is, can gardai give out someone's phone number of home address? I just cannot believe that is allowed? Advice & thanks.

justmehere

justmehere wrote: »

Hi,
Had a minor bump with another car coming out of a carpark yesterday, nothing noticeable nor serious, but my fault. Garda just happened to be nearby ticketing another driver for something :-P Anyway didn't even need to talk to the other driver as the gardai saw it - gave my details to the garda, presumably garda took details of other driver too. He asked me to bring proof of insurance into the station within 10 days - I did it that afternoon. Then rang the insurance company telling them the story, they said they'd look after it, and I thought that was that, putting it down to experience.

Imagine my surprise when the driver rings me this morning at my house wanting 450 to get the 'damage' fixed. Tells me that the garda gave her my number AND my home address, she actually told me my address so I know that was true. God knows what kind of hassle this person is going to cause me now.

My question is, can gardai give out someone's phone number of home address? I just cannot believe that is allowed? Advice & thanks.

No, they wouldn't be supposed to do that.
Maybe it was a young new guard that didn't realise what they were doing!
Maybe have a word with her sergeant.

source

bubblypop wrote: »

No, they wouldn't be supposed to do that.
Maybe it was a young new guard that didn't realise what they were doing!
Maybe have a word with her sergeant.

Actually yes they are, a Garda's only function at a material damage RTC is to take details of the accident and ensure the drivers swap insurance and contact information.

roroliam

You should have given your contact details to the other driver. The guard passed the info that you should have.

El Inho

Not too long ago I was after getting a new parking spot. When I went to park, someone else was there so I left my car in a neighboring spot. I got a phone call from that spot owner the next morning who had contacted the Gardaí and gotten my details from Pulse (Garda system - car was in it from a minor bump two years previous)

Pretty sure that was a massive data protection breach.

source

source wrote: »

Actually yes they are, a Garda's only function at a material damage RTC is to take details of the accident and ensure the drivers swap insurance and contact information.

Yes, details. Insurance details of each person or make sure they give each other their details.
Not give out personal information.

Graham

bubblypop wrote: »

Yes, details. Insurance details of each person or make sure they give each other their details.
Not give out personal information.

What to do in the event of a car accident

Exchanging motoring details
After a car accident, there are a number of things that you need to remember to avoid complications later. The AA Handbook prints a checklist of things to remember. Some motor insurance companies also issue leaflets to keep in your car’s glove box.

These include:
Your names, addresses and phone numbers
The address of the owner of the vehicle you are driving if it’s not your car
Your motor insurance company names and numbers
Your motor insurance policy numbers
Your driver's license numbers
Your vehicle’s registration numbers
Your car’s year, make, model and color
You’re not allowed to withhold this information from another party involved in the motor accident. You should also take the contact details and driver’s license numbers of those who witnessed the car accident. Plus the name and number of the on-scene Garda.

Source: http://www.theaa.ie/aa/insurance/car-insurance/what-to-do-in-the-event-of-a-car-accident.aspx

Little CuChulainn

bubblypop wrote: »

Yes, details. Insurance details of each person or make sure they give each other their details.
Not give out personal information.

Section 106 requires you to provide appropriate information to the other driver, specifically, your name and address.

http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1961/act/24/section/106/enacted/en/html#sec106

Mrs OBumble

You did damage to another peerson's property, and you are giving out because the guards did what you should have done at the time, and gave you the opportunity to put the damage right without losing your no-claims bonus. Really???

screamer

I'm surprised the garde didn't swap the details there and then. It's standard and TBH having been almost conned once by someone who smashed into us I think it's only right that you have the other persons details with the messing that goes on.

coylemj

OP, you can't use the fact that there was a Garda at the scene to evade your responsibilities which includes giving the other driver your details and that includes the name and address of both the driver and the owner of the car.

justmehere

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/99669787#Comment_99669787

I know this is late, but at no time did I say I was evading responsibilities. If you actually read my OP you will see that. As other posters have pointed out, I should have given my details direct to the other driver but since the garda took the info and said I could go, I thought that was it. No worries, it was all sorted out with no claim paid. I think the other driver tried to pull a fast one.

Rows Grower

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120037401#Comment_120037401

Late?

Late?

Aw c'mon don't worry about a little ol' 6 and a half years, what's 6 and a half years in the greater scheme of things?

Forget about it.

Dial Hard

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120037412#Comment_120037412

Jesus christ!!!

justmehere

😂 I don't log on to boards that much!

Marcusm

I think the Garda is in the wrong as they took your details for the purpose of considering charges against you not for sharing with other persons. You are required to provide details with the other person and, had the Garda not attended, by driving off without sharing them you could have been charged.

road_high

Why didn’t you both swap insurance details at the scene? These minor tips are sorted by the insurance companies unless someone admits they were in the wrong and even then

Buddy Bubs

I thought only my GF dug up arguments from 6 years ago!

Lenar3556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120037904#Comment_120037904

There is nothing to suggest that. The Garda facilitated in the exchange of particulars at the scene. Particulars which both parties were entitled to under legislation. I don’t see any wrong doing.

As regards the injured party seeking to resolve the matter informally for €450, there is nothing wrong with that either. The OP should however discuss any such offer of settlement with their insurer in the first instance. Unless €450 grossly exceeded the reasonable cost of the repairs to the other car I don’t see why it is thought they were trying to pull a fast one?

HildaOgdenx

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120039783#Comment_120039783

As regards the injured party seeking to resolve the matter informally for €450, there is nothing wrong with that either. The OP should however discuss any such offer of settlement with their insurer in the first instance. Unless €450 grossly exceeded the reasonable cost of the repairs to the other car I don’t see why it is thought they were trying to pull a fast one?

Thread is six and a half years old, albeit it was the OP who resurrected it, they state that it's been resolved.