Government didn’t try to bury O'Higgins report, insists Frances Fitzgerald

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has denied the Government tried to bury the O’Higgins report to limit its political damage, despite publishing it on the same day as the programme for government and as she left the country.

The Tánaiste rejected the claim during a heated press conference before the 363-page report — which has been the subject of leaks and was received by the Department of Justice two weeks ago — was formally published, and hours before she flew to a pre-arranged event in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ms Fitzgerald said the Government had accepted the findings in full — including serious garda negligence surrounding murder and assault cases, among others — and apologised to the victims involved.

Maurice McCabe

However, despite repeated questioning she stopped short of apologising to ex-justice minister Alan Shatter and former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan, who resigned and retired partially due to the controversy.

She denied the report has been “buried”, adding: “It has been leaked and is all over the media. This morning was the first Cabinet meeting and the first opportunity I had to bring it to my Cabinet colleagues.

“This is accountability. I immediately sent it to the Attorney General, I got legal advice, I followed the legal advice. I felt it was important I had the report out today despite the fact I’m going to Geneva. I’m certainly not trying to do what you suggest.”

Asked about Mr Kenny’s handling of the controversy to date, and whether his “judgment was off”, Ms Fitzgerald said she still has full confidence in him.

She said the Taoiseach “will address those issues” if he is asked, but said he was unavailable today because “he’s obviously chairing a Cabinet meeting this morning”. Asked repeatedly if the Government must apologise to Mr Shatter and Mr Callinan, she said on six occasions that she felt “sympathy” for them and was happy they were “vindicated” — but did not apologise.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny speaks to the media last night. He says he has not read the O’Higgins report yet. Picture: Moya Nolan

“I’m sure the former minister Alan Shatter and the [former] commissioner will make their own comments about the findings of this report.

“What I want to say is that I am very pleased that the report found both the commissioner and Alan Shatter acted properly at all times.

“Of course I do [have sympathy for them], of course I do. I’ve already said that. I’m sure anybody reading this report will understand that. At a personal level this is a very traumatic time for the people involved.

“But let me say as well that there are many people, many gardaí, many victims out there that have been impacted,” she said.

Ms Fitzgerald said the report was “very thorough and very detailed”, and stressed it found there have been serious failings in the service provided by gardai.

She said many “victims of crime did not receive the service they deserved and I am very concerned about that”.

She added: “It is clearly unacceptable. I am very focused on all of the people who have been affected by this report. I hope they can accept Justice O Higgins has painstakingly and fair-mindedly tried to give justice to all of their positions.

“I do believe there needs to be a sea change in the Garda Síochána.”