BREAKING NATIONAL NEWS: Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has resigned.
It follows his use of the word ‘disgusting’ to describe the actions of two Garda whistleblowers.
The move is expected to put more pressure on Justice Minister Alan Shatter.
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, responding to the resignation of the Garda Commissioner this morning, has said Martin Callinan has made the right decision.
He said: “From the moment that the allegations from the two Garda Whistleblowers, Maurice McCabe and John Wilson, emerged about widespread malpractice of the penalty points issue the Garda Commissioner sought to downplay and even dismiss the allegations.
“Worse, he repeatedly sought to discredit the credibility of the two whistleblowers which culminated in the outrageous ‘disgusting’ comment at the Public Accounts Committee.
“The findings of the Comptroller and Auditor General and more recently the Garda Inspectorate vindicated the core allegations of the whistleblowers and posed serious questions for the management of An Garda Síochána by Commissioner Callinan.
“Furthermore the provocative language he used following the allegations that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission offices had been bugged once again demonstrated poor leadership.
“However, what all of these episodes in recent years have clearly demonstrated is a need for an Independent Policing Authority, accountable to an Independent Policing Board, similar to what is in place in the North of Ireland and increased powers given to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
“My party’s focus will be on these urgent and necessary changes moving forward.”
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