6 September 2017
By Elaine Murphy
elaine@TheCork.ie
Sinn Féin Justice spokesperson Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD has said the revelation that there are a further 500,000 false breath tests is a further indictment of the culture of An Garda Síochána and Commissioner O’Sullivan.
File photo of the Cork South Central Sinn Fein TD
Speaking this morning, Teachta Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central) said;
“The report highlights widespread malpractice, failures of governance, lack of professionalism and bad faith.
“It comes on top of other crises in An Garda Síochána such as the financial irregularities at Templemore, the penalty points scandal and the shameful treatments of whistleblowers.
“Today’s report now brings the total number of false breath tests to an incredible 1.4 million which underlines the scale and depth of this malpractice.
“There has been no proper explanation of how this was allowed to happen over such an extended period nor has anybody been held accountable. There seems to be a culture of impunity at the higher levels of An Garda Síochána and that is unacceptable.
“It is also very telling that Nóirín O’Sullivan applied for and interviewed for a job at Europe despite her contention that she is the person to lead the required reforms within An Garda Síochána. Her application for this job clearly undermines that.
“Furthermore, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar must clarify whether or not they supported Nóirín O’Sullivan’s application for the Europol job as that would deeply undermine their statements of full support and confidence in her position as Commissioner.
“I understand that Minister Flanagan is making a statement today on the false breath tests. He should also clarify what he knew about the Europol application.”
