26 months later

In May 2008, retired High Court president Freddie Morris recommended that a Committee be set up to “formulate and recommend the policy to be implemented in respect of investigative interviewing by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána
on an ongoing basis in all its respects, and make such recommendations
from time to time in relation to any legal changes or changes in practice
that it deems to be appropriate in this area.”

Today, justice minister Dermot Ahern announced a committee made up of a judge, a senior Garda, a civil servant, and five lawyers (from the offices of the Attorney General and DPP, the Bar Council, the Law Society, and the Irish Human Rights Commission).

This is a bit different from what Morris wanted.

Missing are “Gardaí from all ranks involved in investigative
interviewing”, “civil liberties groups” and “a psychologist and a psychiatrist who may be able to assist in the formulation of policy towards those subject to various relevant vulnerabilities or disabilities.”

Morris also recommended that the Garda Commissioner appoint a senior Garda with interviewing expertise as “a national co-ordinator responsible for the
implementation of this policy.”

No word yet on who that will be. I’ll keep you posted.