Shatter to appeal High Court ruling on Guerin report

Alan Shatter has instructed his legal team to appeal the High Court's refusal to quash parts of the Guerin report.

The report, which led to his resignation as Justice Minister, looked at the garda handling of complaints made by whistleblower Maurice McCabe, including claims of grave deficiencies in the investigation of crimes.

The Guerin report landed on the Taoiseach's desk in May last year – the very next day Alan Shatter resigned as Justice Minister.

In legal proceedings Mr Shatter complained it was unfair that the author of the report barrister Sean Guerin didn't interview him or give him an opportunity to tell his side of the story.

He claimed the report's criticisms of him in his ministerial capacity caused significant damage to his reputation.

Mr Justice Seamus Noonan rejected his claims last month, finding the report was preliminary in nature, and today he awarded costs against the former Minister.

However he put a stay on the order when Mr Shatter's barrister Paul Sreenan informed the court he has instructions to appeal its ruling and expects papers to be lodged with the Court of Appeal well within the 28-day limit.