Fitzgerald vows ‘root and branch’ reform

Frances Fitzgerald, the new justice minister, has refused to express confidence in the head of her department after the Guerin report criticised the inadequate response to serious complaints about gardaí.

However, Ms Fitzgerald has promised a “root and branch” reform and pledged to introduce measures to address systematic failings in the force.

She made her comments following the damning publication of a report by barrister Seán Guerin, which examined complaints made by Sgt Maurice McCabe about the force and the mishandling of cases.