Government didn’t try to bury O'Higgins report, insists Frances Fitzgerald

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has denied the Government tried to bury the O’Higgins report to limit its political damage, despite publishing it on the same day as the programme for government and as she left the country.

The Tánaiste rejected the claim during a heated press conference before the 363-page report — which has been the subject of leaks and was received by the Department of Justice two weeks ago — was formally published, and hours before she flew to a pre-arranged event in Geneva, Switzerland.

Ms Fitzgerald said the Government had accepted the findings in full — including serious garda negligence surrounding murder and assault cases, among others — and apologised to the victims involved.