The acting Garda commissioner yesterday defended the reopening of Stepaside Garda Station, following accusations that it was a political stroke delivered by Transport, Tourism and Sport Minister Shane Ross.

FINE GAEL has been accused of Fianna Fáil-style political cronyism after details emerged of how Taoiseach Enda Kenny sanctioned a €35,000 pay rise for a key party handler in breach of the Government’s own self-imposed limits on salaries for special advisers.