Former commissioner Martin Callinan had multiple meetings at Garda HQ as scandals were emerging

Former Garda commissioner Martin Callinan held a series of meetings at Garda Headquarters over “several days last week” at the same time as two scandals in the force were emerging.

Independents4Change TD Mick Wallace detailed fresh internal Garda concerns over current commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan’s creation of a “cabal” of close colleagues to interact with the Charleton whistleblower smear campaign inquiry.

Speaking during a leaders’ questions debate in which he alleged the force was “falling down around our ears”, Mr Wallace asked if it was appropriate for Mr Callinan to have visited Garda HQ when several investigations were under way.