GARDA COMMISSIONER RESIGNS
The Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has resigned in the wake of the penalty points and whistleblower controversy.
He informed the Justice Minister of his decision this morning.
Opposition parties are now turning their attention on Alan Shatter who they say should quit too.
Martin Callinan’s decision to quit the force came as a surprise just after 9:30 this morning.
He’d informed Alan Shatter of his decision just before it was announced.
It comes into efect immediatey and is the first time in over 30 years that the country’s most senior Garda has resigned the post.
Martin Callinan has now left the post without withdrawing the remarks that the wistleblowers were “digusting” and that remains on the Dáil record through the public accounts committee.
But the political heat now turns on Alan Shatter – with calls for his resignation from the Chairman of PAC, John McGuinness.
The Cabinet will be discussing the fallout, including whether Alan Shatter should change the Dáil record on the whistleblowers.
Meanwhile Nóirín O Sullivan now becomes Acting Garda Commissioner – the first time in the history of the State that a woman is leading the force.
