Shatter fails to back GSOC boss O' Brien

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has again refused to pledge individual support for the chairman of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, Simon O’Brien.

Speaking to reporters at Templemore College, which was marking its 50th anniversary, he said: “I have confidence in GSOC. I have confidence in the GSOC commission. I am not going to differentiate between individual members, because it’s a commission and they make decisions collectively.”

He said the members of the commission were very disturbed by the leak to The Sunday Times of information and it is of crucial importance that information is maintained on a confidential basis and that there is public trust and confidence in GSOC.