Callinan exit ‘unfair’ as full facts unknown

Former Fine Gael justice minister Nora Owen said the manner in which Martin Callinan left office would seem “unfair” on the former Garda Commissioner and she called on the Government to give the full picture on the issue.

She said: “You could read into it [that] there was a message sent to him that: ‘Look, it would help us if you were gone’.”

Ms Owen, who was minister for justice from 1994 to 1997, said Mr Callinan was an “excellent policeman” adding that “it’s sad to see somebody with that sort of service, leaving under a cloud”.