Enda Kenny’s role in Martin Callinan departure was ‘improper’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s role in the departure of Garda commissioner Martin Callinan was “at the very least, improper” and paid “scant regard” to legal and political norms, says a legal expert.

The comments come as the Dáil today debates a Government motion of confidence in the Taoiseach in response to a Fianna Fáil no-confidence motion based on the Fennelly report.

Kent University law professor Dermot Walsh said that, from his assessment of Fennelly, Mr Kenny sent Department of Justice secretary general Brian Purcell “to invite Callinan to consider his position”.