Garda Ombudsman offices bugged

My name is URL · 10-02-2014 05:32PM

Statement just released by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties

http://www.iccl.ie/news/2014/02/10/rights-watchdog-%E2%80%9Cgravely-concerned%E2%80%9D-by-gsoc-bugging-revelations.html

“The ICCL is gravely concerned by highly-credible reports that GSOC has been subjected to covert surveillance by an agency or persons unknown. It is deeply troubling that the privacy and security of the organisation entrusted with independent oversight of our police service has been violated in this way.”

“In this State, two specific agencies, Garda Special Branch and the Defence Forces Intelligence Branch (G2) have been granted specific surveillance powers under legislation (the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 and the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009). Since both of these agencies fall under the ultimate authority of one Minister, Mr Alan Shatter TD (in his capacities as Minister for Justice & Equality and Minister for Defence), the ICCL trusts that the Minister will provide unequivocal assurances that neither agency has been involved in spying on GSOC. In the event that it remains impossible to identify the culprits with the necessary degree of certainty, an inquiry of a judicial nature may be required.”

Uriel. · 10-02-2014 05:59PM

My name is URL wrote: »

Statement just released by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties

http://www.iccl.ie/news/2014/02/10/rights-watchdog-%E2%80%9Cgravely-concerned%E2%80%9D-by-gsoc-bugging-revelations.html

The Minister could only give the requisite assurances provided he gets similar assurances from the Garda Commissioner and the Defence Force's Chief of Staff.

What if it was an operation carried out by a rogue team without the authorisation or knowledge of the relevant responsible persons.

Phoebas · 10-02-2014 06:11PM

“The ICCL is gravely concerned by highly-credible reports that GSOC has been subjected to covert surveillance by an agency or persons unknown. It is deeply troubling that the privacy and security of the organisation entrusted with independent oversight of our police service has been violated in this way.”

Does the ICCL have more information than the rest of us that allows them to categorise an unidentified 'source' as highly-credible?

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 06:13PM

The head of GSOC should resign immediately if the office was bugged and it was not reported to Government! His position is not tenable.

The finger is pointing at AGS and if that is correct and proved then it's a disgrace and the minister and commissioner should resign.

GSOC seem to have its own moles given all the leaks to the media in recent times!

My name is URL · 10-02-2014 06:15PM

Phoebas wrote: »

Does the ICCL have more information than the rest of us that allows them to categorise an unidentified 'source' as highly-credible?

Do you have reason to believe that the claims are not credible? You know that the security company has confirmed that they carried out the sweep of the offices?

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 06:19PM

My name is URL wrote: »

Do you have reason to believe that the claims are not credible? You know that the security company has confirmed that they carried out the sweep of the offices?

I'm sure they got well paid and were anxious to find something!

My name is URL · 10-02-2014 06:23PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

I'm sure they got well paid and were anxious to find something!

Ah c'mon.. surely you're not suggesting that one of the most highly respected and experienced security consultation firms in Europe would embellish their findings?

They'd get well paid regardless of whether or not they found anything.

MilanPan!c · 10-02-2014 06:23PM

Phoebas wrote: »

Does the ICCL have more information than the rest of us that allows them to categorise an unidentified 'source' as highly-credible?

The UK security firm responsible for the revelations are well known and credible.

MilanPan!c · 10-02-2014 06:24PM

My name is URL wrote: »

Ah c'mon.. surely you're not suggesting that one of the most highly respected and experienced security consultation firms in Europe would embellish their findings?

They'd get well paid regardless of whether or not they found anything.

Considering who recommended them you'd expect them to be trustworthy and credible.

First Up · 10-02-2014 06:25PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

I'm sure they got well paid and were anxious to find something!

Are you suggesting they planted something?
From what I heard in the interview with John Mooney this morning, I reckon it will turn out to be credible alright - and will get even more interesting.

EireGun · 10-02-2014 06:26PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

I'm sure they got well paid and were anxious to find something!

I'm sure they would have to show proof/display evidence to the GSOC about their findings. They traced one of the surveillance devices back to Britain, so they are hardly just making all this up.

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 06:27PM

My name is URL wrote: »

Ah c'mon.. surely you're not suggesting that one of the most highly respected and experienced security consultation firms in Europe would embellish their findings?

They'd get well paid regardless of whether or not they found anything.

Did I say that? But no that you suggest it I suppose everyone's role is under the spotlight!

who_ru · 10-02-2014 06:28PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

The head of GSOC should resign immediately if the office was bugged and it was not reported to Government! His position is untenable

Is it still not obvious to you, presuming you've read this thread, why the GSOC did not report this to shatter or the police?

MilanPan!c · 10-02-2014 06:30PM

who_ru wrote: »

Is it still not obvious to you, presuming you've read this thread, why the GSOC did not report this to shatter or the police?

And they have no obligation to report this sort of thing in real time...

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 06:34PM

who_ru wrote: »

Is it still not obvious to you, presuming you've read this thread, why the GSOC did not report this to shatter or the police?

Whatever about not reporting to the police they were duty bound to report it to the government and they did not.

SpaceTime · 10-02-2014 06:35PM

Maybe they had nothing concrete to report and were carrying out an investigation first?

mikom · 10-02-2014 06:35PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

Whatever about not reporting to the police they were duty bound to report it to the government and they did not.

Too busy reporting about the penalty point situation of certain pink polo shirted individuals.
The important stuff.......

Phoebas · 10-02-2014 06:40PM

My name is URL wrote: »

Do you have reason to believe that the claims are not credible? You know that the security company has confirmed that they carried out the sweep of the offices?

I don't have nearly enough information to say that they are 'highly credible'. All we really have is an unidentified source and a confirmation from a security company that they did some work, but nothing from them on the detail of their findings.

The ILLC obviously have much more detailed information, otherwise they wouldn't be saying it was highly credible, or would they?

tayto lover · 10-02-2014 06:40PM

The Ombudsman has now broken the law by not reporting the matter to the Minister - T.V. 3 News.

I smell a rat in this story.
They have known about it for ages and oddly told nobody. Something fishy going on.

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 06:41PM

SpaceTime wrote: »

Maybe they had nothing concrete to report and were carrying out an investigation first?

They either found something or they did not, it's either a bugging device or not, I don't believe they found anything because if they did they would have ran to shatter roaring and screaming! It could be one of their own members bugging other members. It will be interesting anyway

SpaceTime · 10-02-2014 06:43PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

They either found something or they did not, it's either a bugging device or not, I don't believe they found anything because if they did they would have ran to shatter roaring and screaming! It could be one of their own members bugging other members. It will be interesting anyway

It'll definitely be interesting to find out what's behind it.
Regardless of who it is, it shouldn't be happening and it's quite a worrying occurrence.

Should be be sweeping everything for bugs?

(Checks under desk!)

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 06:45PM

SpaceTime wrote: »

It'll definitely be interesting to find out what's behind it.
Regardless of who it is, it shouldn't be happening and it's quite a worrying occurrence.

Should be be sweeping everything for bugs?

Ombugsman!

SpaceTime · 10-02-2014 06:46PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

Ombugsman!

Ombugsgate.

You have to get gate in there somewhere! It's not a proper scandal otherwise.

First Up · 10-02-2014 06:48PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

They either found something or they did not, it's either a bugging device or not, I don't believe they found anything because if they did they would have ran to shatter roaring and screaming! It could be one of their own members bugging other members. It will be interesting anyway

If this was a Le Carre novel (or a Danish or Belgian TV series) there would have been a serious car accident by now.

sopretty · 10-02-2014 06:50PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

They either found something or they did not, it's either a bugging device or not, I don't believe they found anything because if they did they would have ran to shatter roaring and screaming! It could be one of their own members bugging other members. It will be interesting anyway

Sure wouldn't they be bugging themselves in the process? Would they need to bug a colleague? Sure wouldn't they be there listening to them in the first place?
All of this is just bugging me right now!!

MilanPan!c · 10-02-2014 06:57PM

Phoebas wrote: »

I don't have nearly enough information to say that they are 'highly credible'. All we really have is an unidentified source and a confirmation from a security company that they did some work, but nothing from them on the detail of their findings.

The ILLC obviously have much more detailed information, otherwise they wouldn't be saying it was highly credible, or would they?

This is an absurd position.

They we're recommended by the British Independent Police Commission. And they're staffed by security experts, by all accounts.

You'll have to better than, "sure what do I know?" to convince any one to take your opinion on their credibility, seriously.

Fred Swanson · 10-02-2014 07:06PM

This post has been deleted.

Shady Tady · 10-02-2014 07:08PM

I'd say shatter tore strips off the head of GSOC, I expect a resignation within the hour! Any one give me 10/1

sopretty · 10-02-2014 07:08PM

So the government is going on the attack? As they say....... attack is the best form of ...............

My name is URL · 10-02-2014 07:11PM

Shady Tady wrote: »

I'd say shatter tore strips off the head of GSOC, I expect a resignation within the hour! Any one give me 10/1

It should be Shatter that resigns. Doesn't say much about him that the Garda Ombudsman trusts him so little that they wouldn't report it to him.

Garda Ombudsman offices bugged

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