Shatter letter asked Ceann Comhairle for exclusion from inquiry into Garda malpractice

It has emerged that Alan Shatter wrote to the Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett trying to stop a Commission of Investigation from looking into his handling of alleged Garda malpractice.

Shatter letter asked Ceann Comhairle for exclusion from inquiry into Garda malpractice

It has emerged that Alan Shatter wrote to the Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett trying to stop a Commission of Investigation from looking into his handling of alleged Garda malpractice.

The former Minister for Justice said the commission, which follows the findings of the Guerin report, was “legally tainted inquiry process” and did not want it investigating him.

A letter from Deputy Shatter's legal firm, seen by the Irish Times, told the Ceann Comhairle that the inquiry being set up to follow the Guerin report could threaten his own legal action against the findings of that report.

The commission of investigation is looking into the way in which Maurice McCabe's allegations of Garda malpractice - in the Cavan-Monaghan region - were handled by various authorities.

However, the letter reveals that Alan Shatter wanted to get its terms of reference changed, so that it would not be investigating his own response to those allegations.

Instead he suggested an alternative terms of reference - which would not directly look into his own actions at the time.

The letter reportedly stressed that this was because of legal concerns and could compromise his own legal challenge.

In the end, his bid was unsuccessful with the Ceann Comhairle ruling that only a current minister or the Government can change a motion.

But, Barrett’s decision not to allow debate on the motion - which he felt could lead to an encroachment on legal proceedings - led to a mass walkout of the Dáil by opposition TDs earlier this week.

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