Garda boss denies Callinan retirement ‘snub’

Relations between those close to former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan and the acting police boss Nóirín O’Sullivan deteriorated in the run-up to Mr Callinan’s retirement function last night.

Some Garda sources accused Ms O’Sullivan of turning down an application to allow the Garda Band play at Mr Callinan’s farewell do — and that it was part of her efforts to “distance” herself from her predecessor.

But people close to the acting commissioner rejected the claims, saying official protocol dictated that the Garda Band could not perform at private functions, like retirements, regardless of who is involved.