Unease over Tánaiste as ‘star witness’
The prospect is understood to be causing some unease at both Garda HQ and Government quarters as the political heat over the garda operation flared yesterday in the Dáil.
High-level sources said it will be a “huge call” for the DPP, as it would involve repeated appearances by the Labour leader in the criminal courts in what would be highly charged prosecutions.
The Irish Examiner understands that gardaí will be recommending charges against a significant number of the 40 people being arrested in relation to the incident when they submit their file to the DPP. The file could be sent as early as mid- to late March.
“If there is going to be say, 15 prosecutions, the star witness will be the Tánaiste and she will be in and out of the courts for each,” said one well-placed source.
Given the significance of the garda file — and the political sensitivities involved — it is thought that DPP Claire Loftus would be consulted by her staff as to whether or not any charges — and how many — should be taken.
“It is going to be a huge call for whoever makes the decision in the DPP’s office and you’d expect the director herself would have to be involved,” said the source.
It is thought the prospect of the Tánaiste going in and out of the Criminal Courts of Justice to give evidence in multiple prosecutions is causing some unease within senior Garda and Government circles.
Sources said there are concerns as to the continuation and possible escalation of protests outside State buildings, garda stations and homes of people, including that of the Tánaiste.
“This is the big worry in the depot [Garda HQ] of having the Tánaiste as the key witness,” said the source. “The authorities are a bit concerned about that.”
If the DPP directs against any prosecutions, or a very limited number, it will be a blow to the garda investigation and local management who made the decision to carry out mass arrests.
The matter started off on Monday with the most sensitive arrests — that of three elected politicians and one political activist.
Socialist Party TD Paul Murphy and party councillors in Tallaght Mick Murphy and Kieran Mahon were all arrested for false imprisonment when Mr Burton and her special adviser were trapped in their car for two hours by protestors. This followed an incident where the Tánaiste was struck on the side of her face by a water bomb.
Five more people were arrested yesterday, bringing to 18 the number of arrests.
The Socialist Party organised a protest outside the Department of Justice offices at St Stephen’s Green at 6.30pm yesterday.
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