Tánaiste’s defence in tatters following release of Department of Justice files

Frances Fitzgerald’s May 2015 McCabe scandal defence was last night left in tatters after new Department of Justice files showed that she was fully aware of “aggressive” tribunal attacks against the whistle-blower — and that her officials actively liaised with then-Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan on how to avoid July 2015 media questions on the issue.

The records, which were released last night, raise serious questions over whether Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was aware of the files when he was staunchly defending Ms Fitzgerald, and why neither Ms Fitzgerald nor current Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan mentioned them despite being informed of the trawl on Friday.

This also means that questions must be asked over why the files were not sent to the Charleton tribunal despite any documents relating to the scandal being requested by the legal body.