The Central Criminal Court's presiding judge has said virtually no allegations of mistreatment by gardaí of suspects in custody come before his court.
Mr Justice Paul Carney said this is not only due to video recording in Garda Stations but also because of what he called a fundamental decency in An Garda Síochána.
The judge also said in the many cases he has tried in relation to serious and violent crime in Limerick he has never heard any allegations of Garda impropriety.
He was speaking at a lecture this evening in NUI Maynooth, where he also said there was a family tradition of belonging to the gardaí going back generations and these people have no time for events which have damaged the force's reputation.
Mr Justice Carney said a change has taken place in his time in the courts over the past 42 years where allegations of physical ill-treatment and dubious confessions are no longer a feature in criminal trials.
It was significant, the judge said, that the heavy gang of the past were exposed by whistle blowing within the force.
He added that while Detective Sergeant James Brannigan - or Lugs as he was called - was given free rein to put down street disorder and the gangs of the day, he would probably be abolished today by the Garda Ombudsman and possibly also prosecuted.
That day, he said, is gone.
Mr Justice Carney is said to be one of the few serving members of the judiciary who is prepared to speak outside the court on matters of public interest and offer a unique insight and perspective on the criminal justice system.
He does not believe a serving judge should never be heard outside court hours.
His speech tonight is thought to be significant because in spite of some his own observations and experiences of dark and difficult times for the gardaí, the most experience criminal court judge in the country has till delivered a positive assessment of the work and professionalism of the force.
