Mick Clifford: Justice department must account for its actions with Garda whistleblower in 2023

There is no allegation that the then justice minister acted with nefarious intent. But a serious error occurred when her office sent Det Supt Brian O’Reilly's file back to An Garda Síochána

Then justice minister Helen McEntee and then Garda commissioner Drew Harris in September, 2023. 'There is no allegation that she acted with nefarious intent, but political accountability also accrues for serious errors, particularly when it has to do with the protection of a discloser.' File picture: Niall Carson/PA

There is a developing trend of ministers for justice finding themselves entangled in a mess created by An Garda Síochána.

This doesn’t involve the incumbent minister attempting to cover up or take sides in any internal dispute. It’s just that the mess can be so wide and deep, it’s difficult to step around.