‘Loyalty is prized over honesty’

Judge Peter Smithwick has unleashed a blistering attack on the gardaí — accusing them of prizing loyalty over honesty.

The tribunal chairman said he was depressed and disheartened that a culture still exists in the force where its reputation takes priority over everything else. “Loyalty is prized above honesty,” he said.

In his report, Judge Smithwick takes on the Garda Commissioner, whose lawyers he accused of setting out to undermine former chief superintendent Tom Curran.