Following reports that the Garda Ombudsman had their phones bugged and emails hacked, Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has called for an immediate and thorough investigation.

Speaking from Brussels, Deputy Crowe said:

“Reports that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission’s (GSOC) phones were bugged, wifi compromised and emails hacked is of immense public concern.

“News that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission had to seek assistance from a British security consultancy without the apparent knowledge of Minister Shatter and the government to investigate GSOC’s suspicion that they were being spied on is also bizzare.

“There is something seriously wrong with the system of justice in Ireland when the Ombudsman Commission needs to hire the services of a private company to check its security.”

He concluded:

“The Minister must now have these reports thoroughly investigated and provide answers to the public as a matter of urgency.”

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