Garda chief ‘ill advised’ to put husband on probe team

The garda commissioner has been criticised for making an “ill-advised” decision by appointing her husband to investigate leaks to the media from gardaí.

Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s actions have been called into question amid separate concerns that journalists phones are being bugged by the force.

It emerged yesterday the garda chief appointed her husband, Det Supt Jim McGowan, to a team investigating alleged leaking of information to journalists. Based in the Dublin Metropolitan Region, he was assigned to the inquiry under a chief superintendent.

A probe is examining how certain information about Roma children was given to the media.

Asked at the Garda College in Templemore if there was a conflict of interest over appointing her husband, Ms O’Sullivan defended the decision. She said it was well known her husband was a detective superintendent, adding: “Any role that he carries out in An Garda Síochána is in that capacity.”

The appointment sparked criticism from TDs, who raised questions as to whether it was the correct decision, given the recent controversies in the force.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle said: “It is mind-boggling nepotism by the commissioner. It is clear that those who should know better have learned nothing over the last few years.

“There is not much hope of change in our society if the powers that be see nothing wrong with these type of decisions.”

However, a garda spokesman asserted: “There’s no conflict of interest.”

Social Democrat founder Catherine Murphy said she was taken aback by the commissioner’s decision and described it as “ill-advised”.

“It’s questionable to be appointing someone as close as that,” she said. “That is not going to add to her credentials.”

Health Minister Leo Varadkar said any such appointment should be based on a qualification.