Tag Archives: Guerin Report

Taoiseach Micheál Martin

This afternoon.

The Dail in the Convention Centre

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said he has put a ‘redacted version’ of the Guerin Report (commissioned to investigate the reporting of confidential information by Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe) in the Oireachtas Library.

He told Labour TD Brendan Howlin the action was the “culmination” of correspondence with former Minister for Justice Alan Shatter on the matter.

Mr Martin said:

“In February 2019, the Supreme Court found that the conclusions regarding Mr [Alan] Shatter in the [Sean] Guerin report were outside the scope of the terms of reference for the review and were arrived at without an invitation to Mr Shatter to express his views.

“The court granted a declaration that the conclusions in the report and in respect of Mr Shatter were outside the scope of Mr Guerin’s terms of reference. The court also emphasised that it was far from being critical of Mr Guerin’s conduct in carrying out the review in the prevailing circumstances. In my view it is important that the decision of the Supreme Court is properly reflected in terms of the information placed before the House.

“Therefore as a matter of propriety and fairness, I recently placed the redacted version of the report in the Oireachtas library with those paragraphs which the Supreme Court found were out of scope of the review removed from the text. The revised report is accompanied by the full text of the Supreme Court judgment in order to contextualise the matter.”

Anyone?

Previously: Natural Justice

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Former justice minister Alan Shatter

RTE reports:

Former minister for justice Alan Shatter has won his legal challenge to the findings of the 2014 Guerin Report examining the handling of claims made by a garda whistleblower.

Mr Shatter appealed against the High Court’s dismissal of his challenge.

The Court of Appeal found in Mr Shatter’s favour this morning.

Mr Shatter claimed Senior Counsel Sean Guerin should have interviewed him before reaching adverse conclusions against him or should have allowed him to respond to draft conclusions.

…In his ruling, President of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice Sean Ryan said, in his view, Mr Guerin was obliged to observe the rules of natural justice and of letting the other side be heard.

He said there was a breach of Mr Shatter’s rights because of the defective procedure that was adopted.

The matter will come back before the Court of Appeal later this month to decide what orders or declarations the court should make.

Shatter wins appeal over Guerin Report findings (RTE)

Previously: ‘The Truth Has Been Established’

This Just In

Justice Denied

Sam Boal/Rollingnews

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Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter

More to follow.

Previously: Indecent Haste

Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

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Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett

You’ll recall how Seán Guerin SC examined allegations of Garda malpractice, on foot of claims made by Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Following the report’s publication, it was decided that a Commission of Investigation into allegations regarding the Cavan-Monaghan Garda division should take place. The report also prompted former Justice Minister Alan Shatter to take a High Court action in a bid to get some of Guerin’s findings reversed.

Earlier this week, Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett said a Dáil debate on the commission of investigation into the Cavan/Monaghan Garda division couldn’t take place as it was before the courts and out of order – prompting claims from the Opposition that Alan Shatter was trying to ‘muzzle’ the Dáil.

This morning, Fiach Kelly of the Irish Times reports:

“Former minister for justice Alan Shatter asked Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett to rule out his handling of claims made by whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe from an inquiry into allegations of Garda malpractice. In correspondence seen by The Irish Times, Mr Shatter argued that the inclusion of references to his handling of Sgt McCabe’s claims would interfere with or prejudice a High Court action he is taking.”

Further to this, Mr Barrett spoke to Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ Radio One this morning, as she sat in for Seán O’Rourke.

Sean Barrett: “Because Alan Shatter has already a case pending in the courts, which is due to be heard on the 12th of April, I understand, in the High Court, he could seek an injunction and the choice that was left to me was it’s not my business what’s in the terms of reference, that’s a matter for the Government. My only involvement was whether, under standing orders, I would allow for the motion to be put to the house without debate so that the Guerin investigation can go ahead immediately. Or take a chance, and have a debate on the terms of reference and something would happen and we could end up in the courts.”

Miriam O’Callaghan: “OK but Seán Barrett…”

Barrett: “The thing is, if you don’t mind, I just want to explain this because I’ve been misrepresented so I took the decision, based on the advice given to me, that the best thing to do would be to have the motion put to the house, without debate, so that the Guerin investigation could be set up immediately without any fear. And that’s what’s happened. And the motion was put and was passed.”

O’Callaghan: “OK, let me come back in there for one moment, Seán Barrett.”

Barrett: “Sure yeah.”

O’Callaghan: “You know and I know that not having a debate on a motion is unusual and however you dress it up, the fact that a personal letter from Alan Shatter to you, earlier this week, argued that the motion would be an actual attempt by the Dáil to encroach on the function of the courts. Whatever Alan Shatter is saying, at the end of the day, it looks like you got a personal letter and you bowed to his wishes.”

Barrett: “No, no, no. That’s not…I got no personal letter. The letters I received was as Ceann Comhairle. Alan Shatter wrote back in November about this matter and I didn’t reply because I had no terms of reference. I’m being dragged into this because this is a governmental matter. Not, for me as Ceann Comhairle, my only involvement is procedural and I have a responsibility to the people of this country that an investigation that was being set up should go ahead and, after that, it’s over to the persons carrying out the investigation and witnesses to deal with and produce a report.”

O’Callaghan: “But the letter..Ceann Comhairle, let me come back in for a moment, just let me come back in for a moment..”

Barrett: “There’s an implication that I would be influenced by some letter. I was not influenced by any letter.”

O’Callaghan: “But at the end of the day, Ceann Comhairle, the letter, on behalf of Alan Shatter, from Brian Gallagher, representing him suggested that the debate and the motion should not go ahead for legal reasons.”

Barrett: “But they didn’t want any debate because they didn’t want his, his name included in the terms of reference – that was the issue that they had.”

O’Callaghan: “It looks like you bowed to pressure from them.”

Barrett: “No I certainly did not bow to pressure from anybody and that’s where the unfairness is coming in. They wanted Alan Shatter’s name deleted from the terms of reference, that was a matter for the Government not for me. The argument about a debate was simply about the terms of reference and whether the Dáil should proceed with the investigation, that was it. And I took, in the interest of the public, in the interest of parliament, I decided, on the advice I was given, that the best thing to do was to allow the motion to be put to the chamber without debate ’cause it was only a technical debate on the actual terms of reference so that the matter could proceed. Now that’s all my involvement was. Letters to me are irrelevant…”

O’Callaghan: “Did you consider…Seán, sorry, did you consider maybe telling the Dáil about the letter?”

Barrett: “Sure I get letters every day of the week. I..”

O’Callaghan: “Ah now…”

Barrett: “No, hold a second, this was not a personal letter to me. It was addressed to the Ceann Comhairle. Not a letter to Seán Barrett. It was a letter to the Ceann Comhairle…”

O’Callaghan: “But the Irish Times says …

Barrett: “…from a solicitor asking me to do something that I had no involvement in. My only involvement…”

O’Callaghan: “OK, but Seán, the Irish Times, can I just say, the Irish Times is reporting today, in a personal letter to you earlier this week, ‘Mr Shatter argued that the motion would be “an actual attempt by the Dáil to encroach on the function of the courts”.”

Talk over each other

Barrett: “The Irish Times has represented something very unfairly…”

O’Callaghan: “Is that correct or incorrect?”

Barrett: “The Irish Times have reported incorrectly, the Irish Times, they were briefed by the officials inside of Leinster House yesterday, to clear up this matter because…to be honest with you, it’s grossly unfair and misleading to the public what’s going on in the newspapers about this matter. Attempts are being made to suggest that I was influenced in some way in the performance of my duty. That is totally and utterly untrue.”

O’Callaghan: “And I hear you but Seán Barrett, can you see how it would look wrong?”

Barrett: “I’m not interested in how it looks, I’m interested in the facts. I’m interested in going on your radio programme to tell the public that I took a decision in the interest of them, the public, so that an investigation can proceed immediately without hauling, the possibility of the Houses of the Oireachtas being hauled to the High Court and this matter being delayed and thousands and thousands of euros being spent on legal fees. That’s the simple truth. Whether people want to believe that or not – I can’t do anymore about it but I just wanted to let the people know what the true position, as far as I am concerned is and why I took the decision.”

Later

Barrett: “I am not influenced by letters. I take decisions in accordance with the Standing Orders of Leinster House and Standing Order 57 (3) allows for what I did yesterday, or the other day, and I stand over that in the interest of the public.”

Previously: What’s Going On In Athlone?

Listen back in full here.

Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland

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Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter

In the High Court…


It is also alleged the terms of reference for the report did not entitle Mr [Sean GuerinGuerin to reach the conclusions he had. There was failure to consider all the relevant documents, including documents from Mr Shatter and the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission. It is alleged Mr Guerin regarded himself as bound by a fixed eight-week time limit and he should have, but failed, to take the additional time necessary for the report. It is alleged “indecent haste” in concluding the report led to errors, including alleged failure to fully engage with the process.

Shatter brings High Court challenge to findings of Guerin report (Irish Times)

Previously: “We Are Independent”

Thin Blue Timeline [Updated]

Photocall Ireland

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[GSOC chairman Simon O’Brien (left) with Kieran Fitzgerald of GSOC and on his way to attending the Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee in February, to answer questions about the GSOC bugging story which is now the subject of an inquiry]

After the GSOC bugging story appeared in The Sunday Times on February 9, written by John Mooney, Mr O’Brien was summoned to the then Justice Minister Alan Shatter’s office on February 10, to brief him on the matter. Following that meeting, Mr O’Brien released a statement apologising for not telling Mr Shatter about the investigation that GSOC had carried out by Verrimus. Verrimus had detected three security threats.

In his statement, he said: “We did not wish to point fingers unnecessarily and we did not believe that widespread reporting would be conducive to public confidence.”

Then, on February 12, Mr O’Brien appeared before the Public Service Oversight and Petitions Committee and told the committee:

I certainly suspect or potentially suspect we may have been under some form of surveillance. I have no information in my possession that any other ombudsman’s office has ever been under this type of surveillance.

Separately, in his investigation of Sgt Maurice McCabe’s dossier of claims of Garda misconduct, Sean Guerin, SC, referred to the role of GSOC in the recent Guerin Report.

In the introduction of his report, Mr Guerin said he received no documentation from GSOC. He said on the eve of the day his report was due he received a letter from Arthur Cox Solicitors, on behalf of GSOC, stating  there were legal and practical issues with handing over, according to GSOC, “voluminous” relevant documentation.

Mr Guerin wrote:

“That has, unfortunately, been an obstacle to any assessment as part of this review of the adequacy of the investigations conducted by GSOC.”

In addition, in Chapter 18, Mr Guerin wrote:

“What is striking, however, is that in the one case in which it is clear that a GSOC investigation was pursued to a conclusion, the papers I have seen suggest that the approach adopted by GSOC was ultimately broadly similar to that of An Garda Siochana…While the independent investigative function that GSOC exercises is an important one in the public interest, it appears to be no guarantee of a disciplinary outcome.”

Further to these two matters, GSOC chairman Simon O’Brien spoke to Ivan Yates and Chris O’Donoghue on Newstalk Breakfast this morning.

Yates:  “Over recent months, part of the allegation is that that you’re part of the problem, rather than you’re part of the solution, that you’re basically not a watchdog, you’re a poodle.  Do you think the way you handled Martin Callinan – by having a cup of coffee with him – that the whole relationship was just too cosy?”

O’Brien:  “Ah gee, look, Martin and I have a professional relationship, had a professional relationship, absolutely no problem sitting down with Martin and having a cup of coffee, I did that on a number of…on a regular basis.  Just think about where we were within that – you know, there was a controversy flowing around us. Martin phoned me up and said, ‘Would you come over and we’ll have a chat about things…”  I’ve got no problem with that, I’ve got no problem with that at all.  As he has said, and as I have said in the past, there’s always been a healthy tension between the two agencies – that’s fine.  But, I have to say to you I have no problem sitting down and having a cup of coffee with Martin Callinan.”

Yates:  “How would you characterise that relationship with the Commissioner – was it too cosy, was it too submissive on your part?”Continue reading →

90341187[Justice Minister Frances Fitgerald outside government buildings today]

Further to the Guerin Report.

The government’s response:

Via RTE:

“The Garda Inspectorate is to carry out a comprehensive inquiry into serious crime investigation, management, operational and procedural issues.

The Cabinet has agreed to bring forward new legislation to strengthen the operation of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.

There is to be an independent expert review of performance, management and administration of Department of Justice.

An independent Garda Authority is to be up and running by the end of the year.

A new Garda Commissioner is to be recruited by open competition in parallel with the establishment of the new authority.”

Govt agrees response to Guerin Report RTE)

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)

 

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The proposition that it is restricted, this kind of misconduct and misbehaviour – inadequate investigation, vulnerability of citizens – that it is confined to Cavan-Monaghan I think is unlikely.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte this morning on RTE Radio One’s Morning Ireland, speaking in light of the Guerin Report into allegations made by Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Previously: This Just In

Garda misconduct ‘unlikely’ to be confined to one district (Irish Times)

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“In relation to the [Department of Justice] secretary general [Brian Purcell] I have just been appointed to the department. I have just received this report so I will be having further discussions with him in relation to the content of the report,”

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald this afternoon following the publication of the Guerin Report.

Hmm.

Fitzgerald declines to express confidence in secretary general (irish Times)

Previously: He’s The Brian Of The Operation

Martin’s Letter

Video Via MerrionStreet.ie

reportcoverRedacted like a boss.

Grab yourself a large mug.

Read here

‘Searchable’ version here

(thanks Gavin Sheridan)

More as we read it.

Meanwhile….

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Acting Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan (left) and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald at the Department of Justice within the past hour.

(Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland)