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Updated 2pm
TÁNAISTE EAMON GILMORE believes that Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan should withdraw remarks in which he described the actions of two garda whistleblowers as disgusting.
The Labour leader is among a number of senior Cabinet members to express such a view in the last 24 hours.
A Labour spokesperson said that the position of the party had been articulated by Social Protection Minister Joan Burton – she told The Irish Times that Callinan should withdraw the remark – and this view was shared by Gilmore.
It follows Transport Minister Leo Varadkar saying that Callinan should withdraw the remarks about John Wilson and Maurice McCabe in interviews yesterday.
Speaking on the News at One, Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said he had always found McCabe to be credible and also said that Callinan should withdraw his remarks.
Gilmore also follows the Minister for European Affairs Pascal Donohoe, who added his voice to cabinet colleagues, calling the actions of Garda whistleblowers ‘distinguished’.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Donohoe said that he agreed with Varadkar, who yesterday said that the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan should withdraw his remarks about John Wilson and Maurice McCabe.
Callinan had said that the manner of the release of information by the two was “disgusting”, but has since clarified that he was referring to the release of personal information, not the two gardaí.
Donohoe said this morning that while he agreed with Varadkar that the actions of Wilson and McCabe were ‘distinguished’, he did not agree that Callinan should withdraw the remark.
“I believe they have been proven correct throughout the fixed penalty notice affair. I believe that they have done all of us a service, done policing a service.”
Donohoe said that the 37 recommendations for improving the Garda Síochána were the result of the two whistleblowers and he hoped that the recommendations would soon be implemented.
Earlier, Burton told The Irish Times that Callinan should withdraw the remark, made at the Public Accounts Committee in January.
She was joined by backbenchers Robert Dowds (Labour) and John Deasy (Fine Gael), who both agreed with Varadkar’s assessment.
- with reporting from Hugh O’Connell
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Jump on board Pascal…there’s votes to be won…
I’d guess that they have learnt that there is more scandal coming out in the reports and investigations that have been commissioned.
Time to lay the ground work for Callinan to be dumped over board.
His arrogance and failings in the job make it easy. To save Shatter a head may also be needed.
The Garda like people to rat on each other but treat their own who “rat” as leapers…. Strange that….
Your spot on, typical political bullshit
If this government had any integrity callinan would be fired.
Don’t forget Shatter!
Bet you ole “no balls” has full confidence in shatter and callinan.
If my aunt had balls ;-)
Past retirement age one rule for him
What hypocrisy-Whistleblower’s should be protected like gold, and those who act against them, yes Callinan yes Shatter, be removed from power.
Pascal is running with the hare and chasing with the hound. Displays a complete lack of liathrodi.
Now that a FG TD has called for this Labour feel that they can follow suit.
They are like a beaten dog, cowering behind but still following their blueshirt master.
Must be elections on the horizon
No integrity like the rest of the politicians. They preach about standing up to Bullies but they themselves are spineless. We need more whistleblowers in all areas like banking and government. It does not suit the likes of Donahue as the truth is not a very familiar place for him to operate.
so true irish people are terrified of their own shadow.
Fina Gael, Screwing the people every day.
It’s funny because you called yourself Genius! Genius.
How can these ministers praise the whistleblowers while saying they have full confidence in the Commissioner..the whole system was rotten from the top down. Hypocrisy at it’s best .
Anyone still believe this country is being run for the welfare of the Irish people? How much money has the gardai spent on riot training over the last 5 years. how much tear gas has shatter bought from his international sponsors. By taking part in elections and paying taxes we all giving these politicians the stick to beat us down. What about the GRA it is amazing how quite they have become. Just like the scandals in the church, the gardai have abused their position within our society. but could this also be a smoke screen to cover for the fact that councils are being disbanded leaving behind millions of euros of debt. councilors are retiring with golden handshakes of on average 68,000 euros. How much extra debt has the mismanagement of our councils for the past forty years added to our woes. Not even one council is in profit all will now be disbanded but what is going to happen to the debt another levy or tax the ” your elected us, you now must pay levy”. Do you know how much debt your council has racked on your behalf, maybe its a question that should be asked when the arrive at the door looking for a vote.
Leartus that started in the year 2000 the gardai training for riot situations and the gardai bought a ton of equipment and training. the gardai are well prepared for an uprising .
Choo Choo All aboard the position reversing train.
Asking Callinan to withdraw his comments is stupid and childish, and him not responding to this is comical as if it mattered. The man should be relieved of his position and his benefits just get rid of him.
Hear hear
They are all coming out of the woodwork now like rats off a sinking ship as news is being released that ‘whistleblower’ John Wilson is being treated for bowel cancer. His wife on the radio this morning is contributing his condition to the stress that he has been put under.
Garda commissioner and shatter need to be fired not resign , pronto
The poor commisioner looks like he is being hung out to dry,death by a thousand cuts.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jufT3v1roaU
Radiohead – Just
Fourth single from THE BENDS (1995).
Varadkar was first out of the blocks and the rest of the cretins waited to see the public reaction before they decided what tney thought.
If Gardaí speak out publicly about the handling of the penalty points fiasco they can and most likely will be sacked. Only government appointed officers are permitted to speak to the press, not your regular uniform on the street
Did ye ever hear anything as pathetic as that Pascal Donoghue dunce being interviewed on Morning Ireland.
Is the man a complete gob***te or is he pretending ? And that’s the level we have representing us in Europe ?
No wonder they took us to the cleaners over the banks debts ……
Living the dream people, you got to be asleep to believe it.
The Garda commissioner should apologise, Not only that he should resign as he belongs to the old school of back scratchers which has always been a problem in Ireland of friends in high places .
Time for an election to clear out this lot.
You can’t withdraw what has already been said. Fool.
At least varadkar calls it as he and the rest of us uwashed see it.
All ready for tea at airports and ferry ports at the same time
Martin callinan should resign as he’s past retirement age and should apologise
They should all be beat with there own balls of shite.
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