27/03/2014

Justice Minister And PSNI Chief Constable Asked About Covert Recordings

Justice Minister David Ford and the Chief Constable Matt Baggott have been asked if the RUC or the PSNI have ever used similar recording procedures as those recently revealed to have been used by an Garda Síochana.

Vice-Chair of the Assembly Justice Committee Raymond McCartney has made the call, saying: "The revelations that an Garda Síochana carried out covert recording of telephone conversations to and from Garda stations throughout the 26 county state raises serious concerns and many questions.

"The concerns obviously are about the human rights abuse that this practice represents but the question that must be answered by the Justice Minister and the Chief Constable is – was there a similar practice in operation here?

"I intend to raise these issues with the Minister through the Justice Committee and my party colleagues on the Policing Board will similarly raise them with the Chief Constable."

(MH/JP)

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