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9 News: Barry Cummins reports that the Garda Complaints Board welcomes the new Ombudsman structure
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6.1 News: Barry Cummins reports on the Garda Complaints Board's annual report, which shows the lowest level of complaints since 1995
2003 saw the lowest number of complaints made against gardai since 1995, according to a report by the Garda Complaints Board.
The Board received a total of 1175 complaints, a decrease of over 230 when compared with 2002.
In the report, chairman Gordon Holmes points out the board's concern regarding the level of complaints arising out of incidents where excess alcohol has been consumed.
He is also worried about delays in reports being filed from investigating garda officers.
Mr Holmes also said that the proposed new Garda Ombudsman should have full powers to carry out his own investigations.
