Callinan under pressure to withdraw whistleblower comments
The Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan is under more pressure to withdraw his comments describing the actions of Garda whistleblowers as "disgusting".
The Transport Minister Leo Varadkar yesterday suggested that Martin Callinan take back the phrase he used at an Oireachtas Committee hearing on penalty points.
Now Social Protection Minister Joan Burton says she believes it would be helpful if he did so.
Ms Burton is rarely heard supporting Mr Varadkar's views, so some observers say her support for his call on the Garda Commissioner is significant.
Minister Varadkar yesterday said whistleblowers Maurice McCabe and John Wilson's exposure of the penalty points issue was "distinguished", and said Commissioner Callinan should withdraw his comments describing their actions as "disgusting".
From Washington, Minister Joan Burton said it would be "helpful if he did" so - a view shared with many of her Labour colleagues.
Martin Callinan says he used the word "disgusting" to describe the way sensitive information was leaked to the public, rather than the character of the whistleblowers.
Sources close to the Commissioner say he will not be withdrawing the remarks.
The pressure will now be on the Taoiseach Enda Kenny to respond in full.
Speaking last night in Brussels he would not be drawn on the matter, but he says the recommendations from the Garda Inspectorate report are being implemented.
