Government left feeling the pressure as Callinan heads for the exit

The Government is under intense pressure to explain how details came to light that phone calls in and out of Garda stations were being recorded, after it emerged that the attorney general was informed of the practice last November.

The legal implications of the latest Garda controversy are also expected to be “dynamite”, according to experts, if it transpires that recordings of conversations between solicitors and suspects were taped.

Following a dramatic day of unfolding events, details emerged last night of a letter from Martin Callinan, the now-retired Garda commissioner, outlining that he informed the attorney general of the practice last November.