Callinan sacked on ‘trumped-up charge’, Dáil hears

The Government has been accused of sacking former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan on a “trumped-up charge” in a bid to protect embattled Justice Minister Alan Shatter.

The accusation came as a senior minister warned that the privacy laws may have to be changed because of the garda phone bugging saga.

Mr Shatter was also accused last night of being aware of a crucial letter which vindicated the garda chief’s handling of the garda taping saga, despite claims he had not seen it for two weeks.