Alan Shatter writes to Enda Kenny seeking withdrawal of Guerin report

Former justice minister Alan Shatter has written to Taoiseach Enda Kenny and asked him to withdraw from circulation the Guerin report which has had an enormously “damaging effect” on his “good name and reputation both as a politician and a lawyer”.

Mr Shatter has also warned Mr Kenny about his department spending “taxpayers” money in defending Sean Guerin in relation to a court action the former minister is pursuing over the inquiry.

Mr Shatter, in his letter, reiterates his concerns the way the preliminary report on garda malpractice was conducted by Mr Guerin and says it is “grossly unfair” it remains in circulation.

The separate larger O’Higgins report on garda malpractice allegations was released this week and Mr Shatter says its conclusions “totally contradict” the first Guerin report, the latter which resulted in Mr Shatter resigning in 2014 from Government.

Sean Guerin

The O’Higgins report, he tells Mr Kenny, has “unequivocally established” that when he was minister for justice that he dealt “properly and truthfully with garda-related matters”.

Mr Shatter reiterates that he had reservations in how Mr Guerin conducted the preliminary investigation into garda actions, which was prompted by concerns raised about the Cavan/Monaghan district by garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.

He claims that Mr Guerin had a “rush to judgment” in his work. Furthermore, Mr Shatter questions why Mr Kenny did not make it known that he knew in advance that the barrister did not intend to read material from the garda ombudsman (GSOC).

“You also did not inform me that you knew, before he completed his report, that Mr Guerin did not intend to read relevant GSOC documentation or to meet with GSOC.”

Mr Guerin made a number of critical findings against Mr Shatter, which ultimately the former minister said resulted in him resigning. He is currently taking a case in the Court of Appeal in a bid to overturn those findings. In his letter sent to Mr Kenny yesterday, he added: “Opinions expressed and conclusions reached by Sean Guerin SC not only caused my resignation from Cabinet but also had an enormously damaging effect on my good name and reputation both as a politician and as a lawyer.

Mr Shatter has expressly asked Mr Kenny to contact Sean Guerin and for adverse findings against him to be removed.

A spokesperson for the Taoiseach last night said a correspondence has been received and would be replied to in due course.