Garda watchdog position criticised for being political

ONE of the central victims of Garda corruption in Donegal yesterday criticised the appointment of a new Garda whistleblower investigator, claiming he was a “political appointee”.

Frank McBrearty Jnr, who along with a relative were framed for murder in Donegal, said that while he welcomed any move to address corruption, he had major problems with the new watchdog position.

Brian McCarthy, a retired senior civil servant was announced by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan yesterday as the new ‘Confidential Recipient’ under Garda Whistleblower Regulations.