Data Protection Commissioner Billy Hawkes has said the issues surrounding the Garda tapes “go way behind data protection” and relate to citizens receiving a fair trial.

WHILE the implications of the Garda taping crisis continue to unravel, there are growing concerns at the Taoiseach’s role in Martin Callinan’s shock departure and the impact on the relationship between the Government and An Garda Síochána.

The waste of state money involved in the installation of €500,000 worth of recording systems at Garda stations may be investigated by the Dáil’s Public Account’s Committee (PAC).

THE Labour Party was not informed about concerns of phone recording at Garda stations until the Cabinet met on Tuesday morning, according to one of its ministers, Pat Rabbitte.

Trials and convictions of suspected murderers, rapists, terrorists, and other serious criminals are in jeopardy as the fallout from the Garda bugging scandal becomes clearer.