The Government is to publish new legislation that will allow An Garda Síochána to use biometric recognition technologies, including facial image analysis, in the investigation of serious crime; matters relating to State security and missing persons cases.
The Garda Síochána (Recording Devices)(Amendment) Bill 2025 will provide a clear legal basis for the retrospective analysis of images and footage already in Garda possession, such as CCTV and mobile phone recordings. The technology will allow Gardaí to sort, filter and compare relevant images far more quickly than is currently possible.
This move will save Gardaí thousands of work hours and speed up complex investigations where officers can currently spend months manually reviewing large volumes of footage. It is also expected to reduce the exposure of Garda members to distressing material, particularly in cases involving child sexual abuse and human trafficking.
The use of biometric analysis will be tightly controlled and operate only as an investigative tool, with no automated decision-making. All results will be reviewed by a trained Garda member, and use of the technology must be necessary and proportionate in each case.
The Bill also provides for a statutory Code of Practice, to be drafted by An Garda Síochána in consultation with stakeholders and approved by the Oireachtas. The Code will set out detailed safeguards, including strict data protection and human rights standards, and will be published to ensure transparency.
The Government has separately approved the drafting of a General Scheme to provide for retrospective and live biometric identification, in line with the EU AI Act, including for use in missing persons investigations and in protecting the security of the State and protecting those at risk.
Lyrics and Vocals:American non-traditional country music singer/songwriter Alan Jackson.
Alan Eugene Jackson.
Merry Christmas To Me.
Merry Christmas To Me.
Today I took some paper from the closet, And wrapped the wedding ring you left behind, And I addressed it to the man who vowed to love you, And on the little card, I wrote these words inside.
Chorus. Merry Christmas to me, Just one gift beneath my tree, For the fool who let you leave, Merry Christmas to me.
Then I sat down in my chair and thought about you, About the many reasons why you’re gone, And I opened up the present that I gave to me, And realized how much it hurts to be alone.
Chorus.
I’m the fool who let you leave, Merry Christmas to me.
Pre-deceased by her husband Tom, parents Thomas and Charlotte (Roe), brothers Willie and Seamus, sisters Charlotte (Hobbs), Chrissie (Lafferty), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, especially Margaret Bond RIP (Birmingham); Mrs Bond passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family while in the care of staff at University Hospital, Limerick City, Co. Limerick.
Her passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her sorrowing family; loving daughters Ellen, Charlotte (Cantillon), son Thomas, son-in-law Philip, grandchildren Diarmaid, Daire, Cillian and Aoibheann, brother Tommie, cousins, nephews, nieces, extended relatives, neighbours and friends (in particular Maureen (Noonan) and Nancy (Lafferty).
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mrs Bond, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Bond and Ryan families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Note Please: Family flowers only. Donation in lieu, if desired, to BUMBLEance, in memory of Mrs Margaret Bond [née Ryan (Rocky)]
Pre-deceased by his brother Tim; Mr Ryan passed away peacefully, while in the care of St. Vincent’s Hospital, Dublin.
His passing is most deeply regretted, sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his sorrowing family; loving wife Siobhan (nee Maher), daughter Jacqueline, son Tim, son-in-law Iain, daughter-in-law Frances, brother Sean, sisters Breda and Noeleen, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended relatives, neighbours, friends and all the staff at Carey Glass, Nenagh.
For those persons who would wish to attend Requiem Mass for Mr Ryan, but for reasons cannot, same can be viewed streamed live online, HERE.
The extended Ryan and Maher families wish to express their appreciation for your understanding at this difficult time, and have made arrangements for those persons wishing to send messages of condolence, to use the link shown HERE.
Mr Thomas Carroll aged 67, with an address at Brookway, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, has been found guilty of the murder of 84-year-old Patrick O’Mahony at Ballyreameen, near Castlemaine, Co Kerry, on February 24th 2024.
Mr O’Mahony, a retired Defence Forces Captain and registered firearms dealer, was discovered dead at his home on that date. A post-mortem examination determined that he died as a result of haemorrhage and shock caused by a single gunshot wound, the bullet passing through his body.
Mr Carroll, a retired member of the Defence Forces, had pleaded not guilty to murder. A jury of eight men and four women began deliberations yesterday and resumed their considerations this morning, returning a unanimous guilty verdict, after a total of three and a half hours of deliberations.
The case had opened with evidence that Mr Carroll travelled from Co Tipperary to visit his long-time friend for the weekend, and that the two men socialised together in the days leading up to Mr O’Mahony’s death. The prosecution alleged that events between the friends “took a foul turn” and that Mr Carroll pointed a handgun at Mr O’Mahony with intent to kill or cause serious harm. It was further alleged that Mr Carroll’s initial account that his friend had suffered a fall was “self-serving”.
Sentencing has been adjourned to a later date, when victim impact statements from Mr O’Mahony’s family will be heard.
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