Wallace tells Dail former Commissioner attended Garda HQ several times last week
Controversial former garda commissioner Martin Callinan held a series of meetings at garda headquarters on "several days last week" at the same time as two high-profile scandals in the force were emerging, .
Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace revealed the situation as he detailed fresh internal garda concerns over current garda commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan's creation of a "cabal" of close colleagues to interact with the Charleton whistle-blower smear campaign inquiry.
Speaking during the latest Dáil leaders' questions debate in which he alleged the force is "falling down around our ears", Mr Wallace said Mr Callinan (pictured) attended headquarters in the Phoenix Park last week.
Asking if it is "appropriate" for him to have done so when several investigations are underway, he said Government must act to ensure the integrity of the force.
Mr Wallace separately hit out at Ms O'Sullivan's decision to put in place a unit of "personal friends and associates" to interact with the Charleton inquiry into an alleged high-level smear campaign against whistle-blower Maurice McCabe.
Citing the fact retired assistant commissioner Mick O'Sullivan, chief superintendent Brendan Mangan and detective superintendent Tony Howard have been appointed to the team, he said:
"The Minister should ask the commissioner did she consult with John Barrett at human resources before she made appointments. John Barrett wrote a letter to the head of legal affairs, Ken Ruane, pointing out the corporate risk to an garda síochána in setting up this unit, staffed with personal friends and associates.
"He suggested a firm of outside solicitors should be brought in, but was ignored."
Responding to the claims - and further whistle-blower allegations - on behalf of Government, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said he is "clear on our overwhelming prerogative" or ensuring "the integrity of an garda siochana".
He said all investigations into the force are "driven by our acknowledgement of the need for a strong, respected an garda síochána that has no shadows or clouds over it".
