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)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

23 January 2024
Highrise Safety Cannot Progress Without Minister – Alliance
The Alliance Party has raised concerns that new safety plans by the Department for Communities designed to address fire safety in high rise buildings will not be delivered without a Minister to take them forward.
30 June 2010
Wheels Of Justice 'Grind Slow'
It is taking too long to process cases through the courts in Northern Ireland and the police and prosecutors have been urged to work more closely together to reduce the amount of time it takes.
19 April 2010
Ford Holds Cross-Border Summit
Both the security situation and cross-border co-operation on dealing with sex offenders was on the agenda as the newly elected Stormont Justice Minister David Ford held his first formal meeting with Irish Justice Minister Dermot Ahern.
09 April 2024
Economy Minister Highlights Key Role Of Social Enterprises
Social enterprises play a key role in growing Northern Ireland's economy, Economy Minister Conor Murphy has said. The Minister was visiting the IncredABLE Café @ South Lake in Craigavon, a social enterprise who are making a difference to the lives of people with learning/intellectual difficulties and/or autism.
02 April 2024
Education Minister Welcomes Progress On Teacher's Pay
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has welcomed further progress on a pay settlement for teachers following the Department of Finance's approval of the pay award. All five recognised teachers' unions (INTO, NAHT, NASUWT, NEU, UTU) have signalled their acceptance of the teachers' pay offer for 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24.