The Public Accounts Committee, examining a series of financial scandals at the Templemore Garda College, are to grill eight civilian members of the force next week — without Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan being present.

IN JANUARY 2007, a Freedom of Information request revealed then Junior Minister for Trade, Tony Killeen, had written to the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell seeking the early release of a child rapist.

A NUMBER of Fianna Fáil TDs last night justified making political representations on behalf of prisoners.

BELEAGUERED Junior Minister Tony Killeen yesterday met with the mother of a murdered man to apologise in person for requesting the killer’s early release — but further revelations of requests for early prisoner releases have come to light.

Junior Minister Tony Killeen is coming in for further criticism today following revelations that he sought the early release of a convicted murderer in recent years.

Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen today refused to resign after it emerged that his Co Clare constituency office sent two letters to the Minister for Justice urging that a convicted child rapist be freed.

Labour Affairs Minister Tony Killeen has been forced to apologise to victims of a child rapist after writing to the Minister for Justice seeking to get the man released early from prison.

A FINE Gael TD and his Dáil running mates were last night embroiled in a row which could see them on opposite sides in a libel battle.

A Fine Gael TD is to meet the victim of a jailed paedophile, it emerged today.

A TD today denied seeking the early release of a convicted paedophile.