‘It has a chilling effect’: Frustrated Garda boss outlines what’s wrong with current system and what his drivers urgently need so they can PROPERLY pursue motorway thugs – and tackle the growing scourge of joyriding
Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly has urged the Irish Government to give officers stronger legal protection when pursuing suspected criminals, arguing that the risk of prosecution discourages gardaí from acting. The issue has gained urgency after a fatal crash on the M9, where suspected car thieves allegedly used wrong-way motorway driving to evade capture; critics say current law and policing arrangements do not adequately deter such tactics.
Kelly said cases against officers can take a long time through the courts before ending in dismissal or acquittal, creating a “chilling effect” across the force. Sinn Féin’s Matt Carthy said gardaí also lack pursuit-tactics training and has sought a Justice Committee hearing on 15 September, while the Department of Justice said proposed legislation would address prosecutions, or fears of prosecution, for dangerous driving during appropriate pursuits.
- Garda chief seeks legal protection for officers pursuing suspects.
- Fatal M9 crash intensified concern over wrong-way driving.
- Government is preparing legislation on pursuit-related dangerous-driving liability.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Gardaí need clear legal protection and proper pursuit training to act against dangerous suspects without fearing that good-faith decisions will lead to years of prosecution. If officers hesitate because the rules are unclear, people who use reckless tactics to escape may face less effective enforcement, putting the public at risk.
The case against
Any stronger protection must preserve meaningful accountability, since high-speed pursuits can endanger suspects, officers and other road users. The law should not shield reckless or disproportionate decisions; clear pursuit standards, training and review may better protect the public while allowing officers to act when the danger of pursuit is justified.