Former justice minister shown email outlining legal challenge to whistleblower's motivation, Charleton Tribunal told

Former justice minister Frances Fitzgerald was shown an email and a print-out outlining a challenge by legal representatives of Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan to the credibility of garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe, the Charleton tribunal has heard.

Update 4.50pm: A special advisor to the Minister for Justice said he felt "uncomfortable" to receive an email about the hearings at the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation in May 2015, shortly after it began hearing evidence in relation to complaints by garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe, writes Gerard Cunningham.

William Lavelle, a special advisor to former Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald, said that early in Ms Fitzgerald's time as minister, they agreed that she would not comment on what was happening at the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation except to say that the minister awaited the report of the commission.