Callinan: I didn't mean whistleblowers were disgusting

Thu, 20 Mar, 2014 - 14:57

The Garda Commissioner has insisted he was not referring to the character of the whistleblowers

Martin Callinan has re-issued a statement insisting that he was instead referring to the manner in which information about breaches of the penalty points system was being disclosed.

It comes after the Transport Minister called on the Commissioner to withdraw the remark that he made at the Public Accounts Committee.

In strongly worded criticism in January, Mr Callinan said: "I find it quite extraordinary. Quite clearly we have two people out of a force of over 13,000 who are making extraordinary and serious allegations, and there isn't a whisper from anybody else about this corruption, this malpractice and all those things they are alleging against their fellow officers.

"Frankly, I find it quite disgusting."

Leo Varadkar said he did not share or agree with the criticisms.

"They may not have got everything right, but they did shine a light in a dark place and force those who would rather trun a blind eye, to face up to the truth," he said.

"There have been many words used to describe their actions in recent months, but the word I would use is 'distinguished'."