Politicians to take legal action on order

TWO politicians are to take a High Court action after they were ordered by a tribunal investigating garda corruption to reveal the source of allegations about the relationship between a detective sergeant and two of the country’s top gardaí.

Deputy Brendan Howlin and Senator Jim Higgins were told by Mr Justice Frederick Morris yesterday that their private papers were not protected by Dáil privilege.

Mr Justice Morris said the work of his tribunal would be "greatly hampered" if its team was unable to access individuals who have information that may prove a person was falsely convicted of a crime.