Shatter was ‘under a cloud for long time’

Opposition leaders have declared that Alan Shatter was living under a cloud for some time and that he had also mismanaged his portfolios while in office.

Speedy efforts were now needed to restore confidence in the administration of justice, TDs also warned, after the shock resignation of Mr Shatter from Cabinet.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin called for the conclusions of the Sean Guerin inquiry into alleged Garda malpractice to be published immediately to shed light on Mr Shatter’s resignation.

Mr Martin, who had given a dossier on Garda whistleblower complaints to Government, said last night that he was glad a commission of investigation would now be held into the allegations.

These relate to concerns raised by whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe about gardaí and cases.

“His [Mr Shatter’s] handling of that issue and lots of other issues clearly placed him under a cloud and fundamentally undermined the administration of justice,” Mr Martin said.

The original dossier included claims of gardaí mishandling murder, assault and abduction cases. Mr Martin last night also said that Alan Shatter had an “eternally adversarial approach” to issues and that this more than anything may have been his biggest downfall.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Pádraig Mac Lochlainn said Mr Shatter’s management had been a disaster for the administration of justice, for the Garda force and for the defence forces.

“In our party we never take pleasure in someone’s demise but he clearly had to go.” He said any new justice minister would need to listen to others.

“Whoever receives the brief must have some humility, must listen to wider expertise than themselves in the mirror.”

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams pointed out that both Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore had until this week supported the position of Mr Shatter after separate criticism from the Data Protection Commissioner over revealing personal details about Independent TD Mick Wallace.

But Mr Wallace claimed that he did not feel vindicated by the resignation, adding: “It was never personal for me.” He said Mr Shatter had failed to bring accountability and transparency to situations involving the Garda force.

TD Richard Boyd Barrett tweeted: “Good riddance to Alan Shatter the minister that presided over lies, cover-up by the gardaí and hounded whistleblowers.”