Fiosrú FAQs

Fiosrú, the Office of the Police Ombudsman, is the independent statutory body which deals with complaints from members of the public about gardaí (police).

We deal with your complaint independently and our service is free.

Fiosrú also has other functions as set out in law. These include carrying out independent investigations without receiving a public complaint.

Yes, Fiosrú has replaced GSOC as an independent police oversight body under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024 which entered into force on 2 April 2025.

Fiosrú was established to provide enhanced powers and greater independence, following recommendations from the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland. Fiosrú is an Irish word meaning inquiry.

Yes. Fiosrú is completely independent from An Garda Síochána, Ireland’s National Police and Security Service.

The Police Ombudsman and Deputy Police Ombudsman are appointed by the President of Ireland and are independent in carrying out their functions. All other Fiosrú staff are civil servants, including the Chief Executive Officer.

Investigators in Fiosrú come from different backgrounds with some having worked in police services in Ireland and other jurisdictions. Fiosrú does not have any gardaí on its staff.

No. Fiosrú is an independent investigative body only. It does not have any power to discipline or prosecute gardaí.

Any criminal prosecution of a garda following a Fiosrú investigation is solely the responsibility of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Any action to discipline a garda following a Fiosrú investigation is the responsibility of the Garda Commissioner.

Yes, you can make a complaint about an off-duty garda. The behaviour you are complaining about must be likely to bring discredit upon An Garda Síochána.

You can complain about anything a garda does (or does not do) during the course of their duties that causes you concern. That can be anything ranging from rudeness right up to concerns about possible criminal behaviour. Your complaint must be about an individual or individuals - we cannot investigate policies, practices, or procedures within An Garda Síochána without a complaint about a garda or gardaí.

Any member of the public can complain about a garda or gardaí to Fiosrú.

However, you must have either witnessed the behaviour or incident in question or have been directly affected by it.

A child aged 16 or over can make a complaint on their own behalf – that is they do not need the consent of a parent or guardian.

Yes, you can make a complaint on someone else’s behalf.

The person must:

• Give their consent, either orally or in writing; or
• Be someone who is unable to give consent due to their age or physical or mental condition. Fiosrú will consider whether you are a suitable person to make the complaint on the person’s behalf.

A parent or guardian can make a complaint on behalf of a child aged under 16 years of age.

All complaints about gardaí are received by Fiosrú. If you make a complaint directly to An Garda Síochána, it must be passed to Fiosrú to be dealt with.

You must normally make a complaint within 12 months after the incident or behaviour you are concerned about. Generally, the sooner you make your complaint the better, as some evidence may be lost as time passes.

Fiosrú may still accept your complaint if you can show a good reason for the delay. For more information, please visit Submit a Complaint.

We do not accept anonymous complaints - you must provide your name and contact details. Fiosrú treats all personal information with strict confidentiality and complies with data protection law.

For us to be legally able to accept your complaint, you must have directly witnessed or have been directly affected by something a garda did or did not do. Viewing something on the television news or on social media does not amount to witnesses something.

What information will you need from me?
Try to give us as much relevant information as possible, such as:

• The date, time and location of the incident;
• The name, shoulder number and station number and car/car registration number of the person you are complaining about, if you have these details.
• Whether there were any witnesses to the incident or behaviour;
• Any other evidence such as photographs or video or audio files;
• Whether you had any injuries or you needed medical treatment following the incident.

You do not need to know a garda’s name before making a complaint – if we accept the complaint for investigation, we will attempt to identify the garda or gardaí involved.

You can submit a complaint:

• Online via the Fiosrú website by clicking here.
• By post (you may request a form from Fiosrú)
• At any Garda station (paper forms are available)
• If you have accessibility requirements or practical needs in making your complaint, please contact our Access Officer by email at access.officer@fiosru.ie, or call 0818 600 800 or +353(1) 871 6727.

Fiosrú will first assess whether your complaint is admissible – that means it is something that we can deal with by law. If your complaint is outside our remit, we will not investigate it. We will notify you about this in writing and provide reasons. You can ask for a review of our decision.

Timelines can vary depending on the nature of the investigation. We aim to investigate all cases fairly, effectively and in a timely fashion. We will keep in touch with you during the complaints process.

Once we accept your complaint as admissible, how it is handled depends on the nature of the complaint. We will treat both you and the person you have complained about fairly.

Complaints that involve service level or performance management issues are referred by the Police Ombudsman to An Garda Síochána for resolution.

The types of complaints that are handled in this way range from a garda being untidy or discourteous, to a garda failing to properly investigate an incident like an assault or criminal damage.

A list of the categories of complaints that are suitable for resolution is available here: Complaints Suitable for Resolution by An Garda Síochána.

Complaints that are admissible but not suitable for resolution will be investigated by Fiosrú.

Once we refer a complaint for resolution, the complaint is dealt with by An Garda Síochána. A Garda Resolution Officer will make contact with the complainant and the garda or gardaí concerned to discuss the complaint and a suitable resolution.

Fiosrú has no role in how the complaint is resolved. An Garda Síochána may offer you an explanation, provide information or an apology, or offer to take action.

It can sometimes happen that in the course of handling a complaint, An Garda Síochána considers it to be unsuitable for resolution because of its nature or gravity. If so, a complaint can, following approval from the Police Ombudsman, be returned to Fiosrú for investigation.

More information on how An Garda Síochána deals with complaints referred for resolution by Fiosrú is available here: Relevant Arrangements for Addressing Complaints Suitable for Resolution.

When we investigate your complaint, we independently examine all the facts and evidence. We consider whether the complaint is about shortcomings in garda behaviour or a potential criminal offence. When we carry out a criminal investigation, Fiosrú’s investigators have full policing powers.

Once we have finished our investigation, we may:

• Recommend that the Garda Commissioner take action against a garda, such as conduct or performance proceedings. Sanctions vary and could include a written warning, temporary reduction in pay or dismissal.
• Send a file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions who will decide whether to bring a criminal prosecution against a garda.

We will endeavour to keep you informed of the progress of our investigation, and will discuss with you how you would prefer to be kept updated.

We may also close an investigation for a range of reasons. These include where our inquiries establish that no criminal offence or misconduct was committed by a garda or gardaí.

There is no right of review to Fiosrú of a decision to close an investigation we have completed.

At any stage during our investigation, we may discontinue our investigation into your complaint on a range of legal grounds. For example, complaints will be discontinued for being frivolous, vexatious or if further investigation is not necessary, reasonably practical or proportionate.

We will explain to you the outcome of our investigation and the next steps.

You can seek a review of Fiosrú’s decision – but only where we have advised you that:

• We have determined that your complaint is inadmissible – that is, it is not one that we can accept for a number of reasons;

or

• Our investigation into your complaint is being discontinued.

The reviewer is independent of the original decision maker in your complaint. Following a review, we can uphold our initial decision or overturn it fully or in part.

No. We will not make public the identity of any person we deal with. 
We are required by law to share information with the Garda Commissioner, and the garda or gardaí involved. This includes who has made the complaint and what the complaint is about.

There are circumstances where your identity might become public. For example, if your complaint leads to criminal proceedings, you may be called as a witness.

Fiosrú also has procedures for reporting child protection and welfare concerns to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. For more information, see our Child Safeguarding Statement.

Yes. Under the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, gardaí are legally required to cooperate with Fiosrú. However, gardaí, like any other persons, have the right to silence if being interviewed in relation to a criminal offence.

Yes. It is a criminal offence to knowingly provide false or misleading information to Fiosrú in connection with a complaint or investigation. If convicted, you could face a fine of up to €2,500, and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months.

Fiosrú has no remit in terms of any financial claim for damage to your property caused by An Garda Síochána.

The State Claims Agency is the Agency responsible for resolving third party property damage claims against State Authorities, including An Garda Síochána.