Minister assures Margaret Loftus review into Garda misogyny will happen

A “systemic review” of misogyny within An Garda Siochana will be carried out, domestic abuse campaigner Margaret Loftus has said.

Speaking in Leinster House on Wednesday, she said she had a meeting with the Minister for Justice earlier in the day and he, alongside the Irish police ombudsman Fiosru, had “assured” her that they have “funded and resourced” an entire systemic review of misogyny within the Gardai.

Addressing members of the Oireachtas, Ms Loftus spoke of her experience of the legal system after an assault at the hands of her ex-husband, Garda Trevor Bolger in 2012.

He was convicted of assault earlier this year and received a suspended sentence.

She said her 14-year fight for justice “caused as much damage and as much trauma as the abuse itself”.

Adding her journey was “made extremely difficult for me by the very organisation that was tasked with the protection of life.”

She said her meeting with the Minister for Justice was “very productive”, and said “the last time I had meeting with Minister for Justice, the resolution I was offered at the end, it was a hug.

“So I was very glad that today there’s a more measured, actionable response being taken to the situation.”

She added: “I think it is being treated with the importance it should be treated with right now.”

In a statement the Department of Justice said Jim O’Callaghan “welcomed the opportunity” to meet Ms Loftus, adding it was a “very constructive meeting”.

A spokesperson said: “The minister listened to Margaret’s negative experience of the justice system and the many concerns she raised including her personal experience within An Garda Siochana.”

He “commended Margaret for speaking publicly about her case which he believes is helping other survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence”.