State set to pick up bill for Shatter legal battle

The State could face massive legal bills to fight former justice minister Alan Shatter in a case he is taking against the author of a report that resulted in his resignation.

In a letter to barrister Seán Guerin, the Government this week confirmed it would cover his legal costs in the challenge by Mr Shatter to his report into the handling of claims of Garda malpractice.

The hearing is due before the High Court in October and, with legal fees likely to run into thousands of euro per day, the Government says it is impossible to determine how much it will cost to defend Mr Guerin.