7 May 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Sinn Féin Justice Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien TD has said that the government must act to remove Garda Commissioner Noirin O Sullivan should she refuse to resign.
Cork North Central TD Jonathan O’Brien (Sinn Fein) is his parties spokesperson on Justice
Speaking as further pressure arrived for the commissioner today after it emerged that a senior civil servant in charge of verifying crime stats said he cannot stand over a report on the misclasificatipn of homocide figures given to the policing authority last month, Teachta O’Brien said;
“This latest revelation should act as the straw that broke the camel’s back and the commissioner should resign before she is sacked.
“It is incredible that the Taoiseach has reiterated his confidence in the Garda Commissioner.
“The Commissioner’s position is untenable.
“If she refuses to resign, the government must remove her from office. They have the power to do so.
“An Garda Siochana is staggering from one debacle to another under the leadership of Commissioner O’Sullivan.
“Public confidence in Commissioner O’Sullivan is zero. The credibility of policing and justice in this state has been severely damaged by the Commissioner’s refusal to accept responsibility and by the failure of the government to hold her to account.
“Sinn Féin has repeatedly called on the commissioner to resign. We reiterated that call on Friday evening in wake of the revelations about financial irregularities at Templemore and the contradicting statements provided to the Public Accounts Committee by Commissioner O’Sullivan and Executive Director of Human Resources Mr John Barrett.
“One way or another, the commissioner cannot remain in office.
“The Taoiseach and The Minister for Justice have a duty to citizens of this state to act immediately.”
