McDowell must retract allegations

By any critical measure, the declaration by Justice Minister Michael McDowell that he intends to ignore a criminal offence, apparently of which he has knowledge, is a remarkable and perplexing statement coming from a man in his position.

The alleged criminal offence in question relates to bribery of members of the Garda Síochána by journalists. Any question of bribing gardaí constitutes a serious attack on our justice system and warrants a rigorous investigation to root out the cause.

Yet, the titular head of that system, who is also a former Attorney General, intends to blithely ignore such a diminution of the integrity of the country's police force with breathtaking abandon.