The interim Garda Commissioner has rejected any assertion that the force was in any way massaging crime figures.

Noirín O’Sullivan’s comments follows a scathing report from the Garda Inspectorate which found systematic operational deficiencies and a force in critical need of modernisation.

Noirin O'Sullivan says some of the 200 recommendations can be implemented immediately, but others will take time.

Commenting on the finding that huge volumes of crimes were mis-categorised in lesser categories, the interim Commissioner insisted officers are not intentionally recording crimes as less serious:

“Crime is not an exact science, nor indeed is crime counting but as I say the management team will be examining the very detailed content of the report and we will be looking at that.

“I can have confidence and I can assure the public that any crime that is reported to An Garda Síochána is taken very seriously. We will ensure that there is absolute follow up to the victim of that crime and there will be a thorough and proper investigation,” Ms O’Sullivan said.

The 500 page report says there are serious systems failures, under-recording of serious crimes, and problems with training.

Read a summary of the Garda Inspectorate report here.