D-day for coalition on garda row

The coalition is under pressure to take action to resolve the crisis on the third anniversary of the last election, writes Political Reporter Juno McEnroe

TODAY marks a significant point in the Government’s calendar. It is exactly three years since the people of Ireland went to the polls and gave Fine Gael and Labour the numbers they needed to form a coalition. It is also D-day for the coalition about what to do regarding the ongoing controversy, claims and counter-claims surrounding Justice Minister Alan Shatter and the gardaí.

At the centre of the row are questions about how the Fine Gael minister handled concerns raised by garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe about alleged malpractice in the force. The issues are “grave” and “serious,” as Enda Kenny has said, and include allegations about gardaí mishandling murder, assault and abduction cases.