Government criticised over Garda watchdog appointment

THE Irish Council for Civil Liberties has criticised the Government for appointing a retired senior civil servant as head of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC).

The ICCL also questioned the lack of transparency in the appointment process to the powerful watchdog.

Justice Minister Dermot Ahern yesterday announced Dermot Gallagher as the new chairman of GSOC, replacing Justice Kevin Haugh, who died last week.