Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan to stay amid inquiry

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan will not be forced to stand aside while a commission of investigation into an alleged smear campaign against Garda whistleblowers proceeds.

Today, the Government will publish the terms of reference for the inquiry into allegations that senior management in the gardaí campaigned to discredit sergeant Maurice McCabe.

Asked yesterday whether she would be recommending that Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan step aside for the duration of any inquiry, Justice Minister and Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald said that what was being dealt with were protected disclosures.