Labour backs Shatter amid calls for inquiry into dossier

Labour has backed embattled Justice Minister Alan Shatter amid claims that he ignored serious allegations of Garda malpractice for over two years.

There were calls yesterday for Mr Shatter to apologise to a Garda whistleblower over comments he made as well as explain why he sacked Garda confidential recipient Oliver Connolly.

The latest row comes after the Taoiseach agreed to examine a dossier of claims of Garda malpractice including cases relating to murder, sexual assault, and imprisonment.