New oversight judge has 'stick in the back pocket' if security services do not cooperate

Ireland's first inspector of security services George Birmingham shines a light on shadowy parts of Irish State machinery, accustomed to secrecy and control

Mr Justice Birmingham is Ireland's first inspector of security services. Picture: Moya Nolan

There are not many people who have seen top-secret files of MI5, the British security service. George Birminghan is one of the few.

Now, the recently retired senior judge is going to have access to files across Ireland’s various security services and departments.