Courts / Ireland / Report

Group to sue over circulation of image of their photos on garda briefing board

Date
2020-02-21

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

More than 25 people plan to sue over the circulation of images containing their names and photographs that were posted on a Garda notice board. The images were taken in March 2019 by a contractor believed to work for the Gardai, who had access to a room at Kilmainham Garda Station that held briefing bulletins. One bulletin displayed photographs, names and addresses of the applicants, describing them as active criminals from Ballyfermot/Labre Park or from Kilmainham and Inchicore. The applicants claim they have no convictions or only minor ones, and that they were photographed alongside notorious criminals, an Islamic extremist and a convicted sex offender. They allege breach of privacy and the Data Protection Act and intend to bring defamation and damages actions against the Garda Commissioner and the contractor. Applications were filed before Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds at the High Court.