Opposition parties will ramp up calls in the Dáil today for an inquiry into grave new allegations that gardaí failed to properly investigate murder, rape and serious assault cases.
Within hours of the Government announcement that it was appointing retired High Court judge John Cooke to conduct a review, it was facing calls for a commission of investigation to be established into a dossier of documents on nine cases compiled by Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.
Some of the details of the dossier alleging Garda incompetence and inaction in very serious cases, including the murder of Sylvia Roche Kelly in Limerick in 2007, were put into the public domain by Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin yesterday.
Mr Martin this morning urged Taoiseach Enda Kenny, to whom he sent a copy of the dossier, to set up an independent commission of investigation to inquire into the allegations made by Sergeant McCabe.
He said he hoped the Taoiseach would “concur they are of very serious import” and that he would not just send them to the Minister for Justice [Alan Shatter]and then get them back.
“It requires to be considered by a commission of investigation,” he said.
Mr Martin told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that the nature of what was alleged was such that the Government could not be a judge and jury and an “independent approach” was required.
Mr Martin also called on Mr Shatter to resign over his handling of a number of recent controversial events involving Garda whistleblowers, the GSOC surveillance suspicions and his dismissal yesterday of the Garda Síochána confidential recipient Oliver Connolly, which came in light of comments he made about Mr Shatter in the course of a conversation he had with Sgt McCabe (which was recorded by the Garda).
Mr Martin said that what was most noteworthy was the silence of the Government in relation to Sgt McCabe's allegations until the issue was raised by Wexford TD Mick Wallace, and more latterly Fianna Fáil, in the Dáil.
“[Mr Shatter] should resign. I think he should. His position is untenable,” said Mr Martin.
However, Fine Gael chairman Charlie Flanagan TD defended Mr Shatter and his response to the string of recent controversies surrounding his office.
He said that in relation to suspected surveillance of the GSOC offices, there was an independent inquiry under way that would facilitate “clarity and truth”.
Mr Flanagan pointed to the terms of reference of the inquiry which he said would facilitate witnesses being invited to answer questions. He rejected the argument put forward that the terms should have included powers to compel witnesses.
Speaking on RTÉ this morning, he agreed that the allegations made by Sgt McCabe were "very disturbing and grave" but defended the manner in which the Garda authorities had engaged with the whistleblower.
In relation to the dismissal of Mr Connolly as the confidential recipient, he said the decision was justified on the basis that the comments were made were “defamatory”.
