Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan resigns

Shock move not anticipated by those closest to him in the force

Conor Lally, Fiach Kelly

Tue, Mar 25, 2014, 10:23

First published:Tue, Mar 25, 2014, 09:49

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has tendered his shock resignation his morning following the deepening crisis over the penalty points controversy.

In a move not anticipated by even those closest to him in the Garda, Mr Callinan tendered his resignation to Minister for Justice Alan Shatter this morning.

In a statement issued by the Garda Press Office today, Mr Callinan said: "In the best interests of An Garda Síochana and my family, I have decided to retire. I felt that recent developments were proving to be a distraction from the important work that is carried out by An Garda Síochana on a daily basis for the citizens of the State in an independent and impartial manner."

Government sources this morning said they were "stunned" by the news. While Mr Callinan notified Mr Shatter of his resignation, sources said the issue of a Garda oversight bodystill had to be addressed.

Mr Callinan was under pressure 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.

Mr Callinan's move is seen a shock, given the Cabinet was to meet to discuss the controversy over his remarks.

The weekly meeting is underway but Ministers did not make any statements prior to the meeting this morning.

While the Labour Party and Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar had called on Mr Callinan to withdraw the comments, no Minister had called on him to step aside.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore had expressed confidence in Mr Callinan, as had Mr Varadkar, even though he said the Commissioner was not above criticism.

Mr Callinan had become embroiled in numerous controversies in recent months, such as his handling of the penalty points and whistleblowers affair as well as the fallout from the Smithwick Tribunal report.

The move is unprecedented since the foundation of the State and the Garda force.

Mr Callinan had been due to retire on age grounds last August but was offered a two-year extension to his term by the Government, which he accepted.

He was to retire in August of next year when that two-year period had expired but has decided this morning to tender his resignation to Mr Shatter.

As recently as the end of last week those close to him were insisting there would be no apology from him for the language he used and that he had no intention of issuing any further statement about the matter unless asked by Government to do so.

At the weekend it emerged he was considering making another statement to try and bring the matter to a close.

However, while that was expected as early as yesterday, well in advance of today's Cabinet meeting, it never materialised.

Mr Callinan effectively retires now and is entitled to a full pension.

His departure leaves significant gaps at the head of the force, due to inaction by Mr Shatter in recent years in filling senior posts that many within the force were very surprised have been left vacant.

For example, while the force is headed by a commissioner, there are two posts of deputy commissioner just below that. But one of these has been vacant for a prolonged period.

Mr Callinan's resignation means that two of the three posts at the top of the Garda force are vacant, with Deputy Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan now expected to take on his position of commissioner on an interim basis.

She, along with Assistant Commissioner John O'Mahoney, were regarded as the front runners to be the next garda commissioner when Mr Callinan's tenure was due to come to an end next August