Shatter used Callinan as a shield

As a former member of An Garda Síochána, I am glad that Martin Callinan has retired as Commissioner, both for his sake and his family’s.

It is sad to see a Commissioner backed into such a position, but it may allow the spotlight to shine more clearly on a Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, who has used the Commissioner for too long as a shelter from criticism.

Shatter has decimated An Garda Síochána, since he has come into office. He has denuded it of stations, manpower and transport, leaving the country with a skeleton police force. When there is public opposition, he says the Commissioner runs the Force. The Commissioner was not allowed to run the Force.