Howlin hits out at Garda phone bid

LABOUR’S Brendan Howlin yesterday expressed shock at reports gardaí sought access to his phone records after he highlighted corruption claims in the force.

The Morris Tribunal, which is investigating allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal, has been told detectives sought to trace calls from Mr Howlin and Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins in a bid to find the source of their information. Mr Howlin said it was a matter of grave concern and threatened to undermine the right of people to blow the whistle on important issues without fear of being exposed.

“There are checks and balances in the system and it is disturbing to learn that this was being contemplated,” the former Labour justice spokesperson said. “It’s a matter of great significance for the conduct of political life, especially when we acted with the utmost responsibility and did not go to the Dáil to make wild allegations.”