The Minister for Justice says he had no choice but to sack the man responsible for hearing internal Garda complaints.
In a statement last night, Alan Shatter says he had no option but to fire Oliver Connolly, the Garda Confidential Recipient, after the leak of a transcript of a conversation he'd held with a Garda whistleblower.
It emerged from the transcript that Mr Connolly told the penalty points whistleblower Maurice McCabe that Minister Shatter would, quote, “go after him” if he felt his personal reputation was being threatened.
Minister Shatter said Mr Connolly failed to deny the contents of the transcript, and he was left with no other option but to relieve him of his duties.
The post was due to be abolished under reform of the Garda whistleblowing legislation, and will be taken over on an interim basis by a retired High Court judge.
Meanwhile,
Tipperary Independent TD Mattie McGrath says well past time for Justice Minister Alan Shatter to stand down.
Deputy McGrath believes his actions and those of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan are damaging to the force and hundreds of hardworking officers.
