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Know your rights
Don't get pushed around by the Gardai.
The Know Your Rights: Criminal Justice & Garda Powers pack launched by ICCL (Irish Council for Civil Liberties) is the first of a series of booklets designed to inform people about their rights, which the ICCL is rolling out as part of its Know Your Rights public information project.
The booklet is designed to inform the general public, in clear and accessible language, of their rights in the areas of Garda search powers, arrest, interview, detention, provision of bodily samples and public order.
Stand up for your rights!
The State gets its power from the People of Ireland through the Constitution of Ireland (Bunreacht na hÉireann). The Constitution sets out some of the rights of people who live in Ireland. We also have rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). All agents of the State, including An Garda Síochána, must act in line with the Constitution and the ECHR.
The Constitution is interpreted by the courts and is supplemented by more detailed laws, which must also be in line with the Constitution. The law must also follow the ECHR and the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights. Gardaí must act according to court rulings and legislation, otherwise they may be acting unlawfully.
If you have any doubts about the way you have been treated by the Gardaí, or whether a Garda acted lawfully in carrying out his or her duties or interfered with any of your rights, you should contact a solicitor.
Knowledge like this is truly empowering.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL)
Web: www.iccl.ie/
Email: info@iccl.ie
Phone: 01 799 4504
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is Ireland’s leading independent human rights watchdog, which monitors, educates and campaigns in order to secure full enjoyment of human rights for everyone.
