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Ministers frustrated as O’Callaghan and Harris take different approaches to Garda concerns
Coalition ministers are reported to be frustrated with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan’s handling of concerns about Garda whistleblowers and faulty pistol holsters. The issue has become more politically difficult after the family of Detective Garda Colm Horkan praised Tánaiste Simon Harris for showing empathy, while saying they feel let down by O’Callaghan.
Harris told the Dáil the Government had an “open mind” about the family’s call for a public inquiry and said they deserved answers. O’Callaghan has declined to start an inquiry, referring the holster issue and Horkan’s death to Fiosrú, the Garda Ombudsman; the family says it has “no faith” in that process. The article says a Garda whistleblower raised concerns about holsters in 2019, months before one contributed to Horkan’s death.
In short
- Ministers are reportedly concerned about O’Callaghan’s handling of the issue.
- Horkan’s family wants a public inquiry and rejects the proposed process.
- Harris’s response has been contrasted with O’Callaghan’s decision.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Daily Mail as “Ministers are all saying the same thing about a key difference in how the Justice Minister and the Tanaiste dealt with Garda whistleblowers issue – and here’s why it could spell trouble for Jim O’Callaghan…”.