FF: FIRST ACT WILL BE AXING GARDA CHIEF
Partyblasts tainted force’s poor leadership TD brands phone tap row as ‘disturbing’
A SENIOR Fianna Fail TD has confirmed one of the party’s first acts if returned to power will be to sack Garda Commissioner Noirin O’sullivan. There has been huge pressure on the Garda chief to go amid the litany of scandals engulfing the force – the latest suggesting a serving politician’s election worker had their phone tapped. Fine Gael and the Independent Alliance are continuing to back Ms O’sullivan, a position Fianna Fail TD Michael Mcgrath said yesterday had “strained” the confidence and supply agreement underpinning the Government. Asked if one of the first acts of the next Fianna Fail government would be to sack Ms O’sullivan, Deputy Mcgrath simply replied: “Yes.” He added: “Undoubtedly, there have been strains and the origins of those strains have been the manner in which the Garda controversy have been mishandled, both within the force at a very senior level by the Commissioner and indeed at the political level by the Tanaiste as Minister for Justice. “Our sole priority is to seek to restore public confidence in An Garda Siochana, to support the ordinary men and women who are putting their own lives on the line every single day to protect our citizens. “They deserve better leadership at a political level by the Tanaiste and they certainly deserve better leadership at an operational level by the Garda Commissioner and those who report directly to her.” The TD described the latest scandal as “unacceptable” and suggested Fianna Fail would open an inquiry into the matter.
MOTIVATED
He said: “The thrust of the story as I read it was what happened with the individual’s phone in this case was politically motivated. “That is deeply disturbing and it’s completely unacceptable. “So I think it would be helpful if more information was shared and put into the public domain to assuage any public concern that their phones may be tapped for a purpose that is not in the public interest, and not in the interest of genuinely supporting the operation and independence of An Garda Siochana.” Meanwhile, Tanaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald yesterday revealed who is on the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland, with the final report due in September 2018. Ex-seattle police chief Kathleen O’toole is to chair the body which will include Noeline Blackwell, Conor Brady, Dr Johnny Connolly, Dr Vicky Conway, Tim Dalton, Sir Peter Fahy, Dr Eddie Molloy, Tonita Murray, Dr Antonio Oftelie, Prof Donncha O’connell and Helen Ryan. Ms Fitzgerald said: “It is clear from recent events systemic issues which have emerged require the establishment of this expert group to report in a timely way on the further changes now necessary to meet the requirements of a modern police force.”
Our priority is to restore public confidence in An Garda Siochana MICHAEL MCGRATH DUBLIN YESTERDAY