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Callinan "made right decision to
resign" - TD
25.03.14
SINN Féin Justice
Spokesperson Pádraig MacLochlainn has said that
Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has made the
right decision to resign this morning.
“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," he said.
“Worse, he repeatedly sought to discredit the
credibility of the two whistleblowers which
culminated in the outrageous ‘disgusting’ comment at
the Public Accounts Committee. |
"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."
Mr Callinan tendered his resignation to Minister for
Justice Alan Shatter this morning. |
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Martin Callinan. |
It is understood the
Government has been shocked by the news.
It is understood Mr Callinan cited family and
personal reasons in his letter, based on the
increased pressure he has been put under by the
deepening rift in Government over his use of the
word “disgusting” to describe the Garda
whistleblowers when he appeared before the Public
Accounts Committee. |
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