An Garda Síochána Statement - Final Fennelly Report 6th April 2017
The final Report by Judge Fennelly is an extensive and detailed report that will take time to study and review.
An Garda Síochána welcomes Judge Fennelly’s finding that "no widespread or systematic, indeed probably no significant, mis-use of information derived from non-999 telephone recording has taken place”. The Judge also found that "for the entire period for which telephone recording systems have existed in Garda stations, there was no deliberate decision or intention on the part of An Garda Síochána to use those systems to record calls between solicitors and their clients.” The Judge further found "There was no Garda system of snooping, spying or intrusion into private lives and certainly not of listening to solicitor/client calls." An Garda Síochána welcomes the Judge’s clarity on the legal status relating to the retention of phone data. We will work with the relevant authorities on the recommended legislation on this matter. There will now be a detailed examination of the report and where any organisational issues are identified they will be addressed as quickly as possible.
