Callinan will not withdraw comment on whistleblowers

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has refused to withdraw his branding of the actions of whistleblowers as “disgusting”, despite being called on to do so by a leading Cabinet minister.

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar criticised the commissioner’s handling of the damaging affair as the fallout from it continued to spread.

Mr Varadkar praised Sgt Maurice McCabe and John Wilson for shining “a light into a dark place” which “forced those who would rather turn a blind eye than face up to the truth”.