Commissioner Callinan resigns with immediate effect

King Ludvig · 25-03-2014 11:10am #1

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has resigned in the wake of the Garda Whistleblower controversy.
It is understood he informed the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, of his resignation this morning. The Garda Press Office confirmed the action.
The Commissioner said he had taken the decision for "family reasons". He was due to stay in the position for at least another 14 months.
Callinan has been at the centre of the controversy in recent weeks after he said "Frankly, I find it quite disgusting" in reference to the activities of whistleblowers John Wilson and Maurice McCabe.
Last week, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar called for Callinan to withdraw his remarks, causing friction within the Government.
An "informal" meeting took place yesterday between Varadkar and Alan Shatter at the request of the Taoiseach, who also met Minister Varadkar himself.
The news broke before this morning's Cabinet meeting, which was expected to discuss the ongoing issue.
It is expected the Assistant Commissioner, Noreen O'Sullivan, will take over Callinan's duties until a successor is appointed.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/garda-commissioner-callinan-resigns-625973.html

Terrontress · 25-03-2014 11:36am

King Ludvig wrote: »

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan has resigned in the wake of the Garda Whistleblower controversy.
It is understood he informed the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, of his resignation this morning. The Garda Press Office confirmed the action.
The Commissioner said he had taken the decision for "family reasons". He was due to stay in the position for at least another 14 months.
Callinan has been at the centre of the controversy in recent weeks after he said "Frankly, I find it quite disgusting" in reference to the activities of whistleblowers John Wilson and Maurice McCabe.
Last week, Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar called for Callinan to withdraw his remarks, causing friction within the Government.
An "informal" meeting took place yesterday between Varadkar and Alan Shatter at the request of the Taoiseach, who also met Minister Varadkar himself.
The news broke before this morning's Cabinet meeting, which was expected to discuss the ongoing issue.
It is expected the Assistant Commissioner, Noreen O'Sullivan, will take over Callinan's duties until a successor is appointed.

http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/garda-commissioner-callinan-resigns-625973.html

Being given the chance to walk instead of being pushed will afford him all his retirement benefits.

I have no sympathy for the man.

Viper_JB · 25-03-2014 11:38am

About time, only shame is that he will get a massive pay out as a result.

Mitch Connor · 25-03-2014 11:39am

Viper_JB wrote: »

About time, only shame is that he will get a massive pay out as a result.

Why does he get a payout for resigning? If I resigned my job they'd just say good bye!

Viper_JB · 25-03-2014 11:42am

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Why does he get a payout for resigning? If I resigned my job they'd just say good bye!

He'll get a golden handshake and massive pension no doubt, I don't think he would leave the position unless they we assured, tbh I wouldn't be surprised that he's quitting over issuing an apology and admitting he was wrong...

steddyeddy · 25-03-2014 11:43am

Well done to St.Mcabe. You stood up for the public good, got trampled by those working against it and won.

bono_v · 25-03-2014 12:12pm

Viper_JB wrote: »

About time, only shame is that he will get a massive pay out as a result.

Surely not if he is resigning??

25-03-2014 12:14pm

Why shouldn't he get the payments that he is due and worked 30+ hard years for?

ActingDanClark · 25-03-2014 12:15pm

Why not? He made pension contributions and in common with all state employees is entitled to a lump sum.

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 12:16pm

Decent hard working guy who was shafted and scapegoated, His only failing was his loyalty to the government, hope he drops a bombshell on this government on his departure

steddyeddy · 25-03-2014 12:19pm

Shady Tady wrote: »

Decent hard working guy who was shafted and scapegoated, His only failing was his loyalty to the government, hope he drops a bombshell on this government on his departure

He called someone upholding the law "disgusting". No one scape goated him.

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 12:26pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

He called someone upholding the law "disgusting". No one scape goated him.

5 hours of evidence and one word picked up on which he later explained the context in which it was used. Shatter and Kenny should resign because it was at their behest that he took the line he did. The shackles are off now and I hope he speaks out in the coming weeks!

bono_v · 25-03-2014 12:41pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Why shouldn't he get the payments that he is due and worked 30+ hard years for?

Sorry you are correct there. I thought from what poster was saying he would get some sort of "golden handshake" on top of that.

Larbre34 · 25-03-2014 1:01pm

This is shambolic, any senior public servants that dont leave before August face pension benefit reductions, Callinan now has 41 years so will depart with the max lump sum and benefits, all he needed was an excuse to leave early, now he can throw the grenade over his shoulder and not look back.

DC Noirin O'Sullivan for first lady boss chief?

Keyzer · 25-03-2014 1:15pm

Shady Tady wrote: »

5 hours of evidence and one word picked up on which he later explained the context in which it was used. Shatter and Kenny should resign because it was at their behest that he took the line he did. The shackles are off now and I hope he speaks out in the coming weeks!

He said what he said, no back tracking and additional context makes up for it. For someone in his position to make such a comment is unfathomable.

He singled out the two whistle blowers as bad apples and stated that no one else in the force is making any similar allegations.

He stated that the allegations and "all of those things that are levelled against their fellow officers" is what he found to be "quite disgusting, on a personal level, I think its quite disgusting".

Worth noting that the allegations made by said whistle blowers were found to be true and both officers were vindicated publicly.

shampon · 25-03-2014 1:18pm

Job's still ****ed regardless.

msg11 · 25-03-2014 1:31pm

Larbre34 wrote: »

This is shambolic, any senior public servants that dont leave before August face pension benefit reductions, Callinan now has 41 years so will depart with the max lump sum and benefits, all he needed was an excuse to leave early, now he can throw the grenade over his shoulder and not look back.

DC Noirin O'Sullivan for first lady boss chief?

Was thinking the exact same, so looking like the first Women Garda Commissioner of the force.

IMO I think Alan Shatter should also resign, he has not got one idea what he is doing as Minister his handling of this was a disgrace along with his soft approach to gangland crime in this country, we now have gangsters shooting each others faces off outside Creches. It will happen and become more common that Garda and the public will get caught up in the crossfire.

charlie14 · 25-03-2014 1:36pm

Shady Tady wrote: »

5 hours of evidence and one word picked up on which he later explained the context in which it was used. Shatter and Kenny should resign because it was at their behest that he took the line he did. The shackles are off now and I hope he speaks out in the coming weeks!

While i hope he does speak out and expose Shatter and Kenny, I have no sympathy for him especially after his PAC remarks. He was asked if he wanted to withdraw his remark and he refused.

Iwannahurl · 25-03-2014 2:11pm

steddyeddy wrote: »

Well done to St.Mcabe. You stood up for the public good, got trampled by those working against it and won.

A partial victory, perhaps. Now that Callinan is gone, Sgt McCabe's standing in the force should be fully reinstated, and the restrictions on him (eg re accessing Pulse) should be lifted. I'm not sure what redress would be required in John Wilson's case.

It should not be forgotten, of course, that these were Garda officers standing up for the public good. I can't believe they were just two out a force of 13,000 (to quote the former Commissioner) so another potential win in this case is that other officers will be empowered to take a similarly principled stand.

Shady Tady wrote: »

5 hours of evidence and one word picked up on which he later explained the context in which it was used. Shatter and Kenny should resign because it was at their behest that he took the line he did. The shackles are off now and I hope he speaks out in the coming weeks!

No explaining involved at all. The tide turned and he tried to wriggle out of it.

25-03-2014 2:48pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

A partial victory, perhaps. Now that Callinan is gone, Sgt McCabe's standing in the force should be fully reinstated, and the restrictions on him (eg re accessing Pulse) should be lifted. I'm not sure what redress would be required in John Wilson's case.

Is he not under investigation re unauthorised access to PULSE?

Zambia · 25-03-2014 4:19pm

I love how Ireland and his dog knew how to get out of a ticket and because two Garda actually came out and said it then its an issue.

marienbad · 25-03-2014 4:33pm

Zambia wrote: »

I love how Ireland and his dog knew how to get out of a ticket and because two Garda actually came out and said it then its an issue.

Speak for yourself

That just shows you know how to get out of a ticket , I don't and have never tried and have no intention of trying and yes I have received penalty points.

Probably just another variation of the 'golden circle' notion, and the problem with this little country of ours is that I will be seen by some as the mug.

Corruption works both ways you know

Fred Swanson · 25-03-2014 4:47pm

This post has been deleted.

msg11 · 25-03-2014 4:58pm

marienbad wrote: »

Speak for yourself

That just shows you know how to get out of a ticket , I don't and have never tried and have no intention of trying and yes I have received penalty points.

Probably just another variation of the 'golden circle' notion, and the problem with this little country of ours is that I will be seen by some as the mug.

Corruption works both ways you know

I don't get the big deal with the points if you get caught speeding you get caught big deal, man up too it and drive safely, two years later you'll be back at zero. I have never gotten a point mainly down to fact I don't drive like a moron and take road safety seriously, cars in good condition is NCT'ed, Taxed and insured. So I never give someone a reason to issue points. It's simple stuff, as for the Garda clearing these points for so called 'friends' I wonder is it really worth it. Your cleaning up someone elses mess/carelessness would your 'friend' in the bank wipe a few grand off your loan/mortgage? Not a chance.

Iwannahurl · 25-03-2014 5:26pm

foreign wrote: »

Is he not under investigation re unauthorised access to PULSE?

I have no idea. As far as I am concerned the "unauthorised" access to Pulse (and the data protection issues) are secondary to the main issue which is the “consistent and widespread breaches of policy” as reported by McCabe and Wilson and subsequently verified by the Garda Inspectorate.

The whistleblowers' accessing of Pulse may have been unauthorised, but in my view it was a necessary 'incursion' in order to expose the bigger problem.

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 5:51pm

I'm surprised he stepped down. I can't see Shatter going despite the many issues surrounding him as he has the support from Kenny, due to backing him during the Fine Gael civil war days...

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Why would an external candidate be chosen and not a member?

I wonder what effect this will have on the annual GRA meeting in a few days.

Fred Swanson · 25-03-2014 5:54pm

This post has been deleted.

pa990 · 25-03-2014 6:00pm

Hitchroun wrote: »

I'm surprised he stepped down.

I'm surpried it took so long.

Hitchroun wrote: »

I can't see Shatter going ....

Maybe a portfolio change ?

Hitchroun wrote: »

Why would an external candidate be chosen and not a member?

Greater transparency , less cronyism, better qualified ..

Hitchroun wrote: »

I wonder what effect this will have on the annual GRA meeting in a few days.

A massive bar tab

Iwannahurl · 25-03-2014 6:00pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Long past time for a Policing Authority.

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 6:03pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

Hopefully a good external candidate will be found to fill the vacancy.

Yeah! Maybe like one of those civillians heading up the HSE

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 6:05pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Long past time for a Policing Authority.

That's what the GRA and AGSI have been calling for but suddenly it's now a new good idea

Iwannahurl · 25-03-2014 6:06pm

Shady Tady wrote: »

That's what the GRA and AGSI have been calling for but suddenly it's now a new good idea

I wasn't aware of that. Sources? Links?

Fred Swanson · 25-03-2014 6:11pm

This post has been deleted.

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 6:11pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

I wasn't aware of that. Sources? Links?

During last years annual meeting.

http://www.gra.cc/agenda_2013.shtml

Policing Authority
3. “That Conference demands the establishment of an independent police authority to remove political interference from An Garda Siochána”. (CEC)

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 6:17pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

I didn't say a civilian.

Who would you like?

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 6:19pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

An independent police authority would be a good idea to have some greater oversight of the commissioner and senior AGS.

A non-member commissioner would be a mistake I believe.

Fred Swanson · 25-03-2014 6:19pm

This post has been deleted.

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 6:21pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

Someone from a police force abroad.

Are yee all afraid of a new broom sweeping the crap out the door?

Who's yee?

Fred Swanson · 25-03-2014 6:26pm

This post has been deleted.

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 6:29pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

That would be one option, but any non-member wouldn't have the advantage of the experience of policing in Ireland. Different countries have different issues, and in turn lead to different policing efforts and tactics.

Not to mention any non-member commissioner wouldn't have the same degree of faith & confidence of front-line AGS members. Its important leadership can effectively lead.

Iwannahurl · 25-03-2014 6:30pm

Hitchroun wrote: »

During last years annual meeting.

http://www.gra.cc/agenda_2013.shtml

The AGSI has also called for the establishment of an Independent Police Authority to run the force.

The association said the Government has too much control over the force since the implementation of the 2005 Garda Síochána Act.

The AGSI said the Government decides how much money the force has to tackle crime, what stations remain open and what individuals are promoted to the senior ranks.

Association General Secretary Joe Dirwan said this has to change and an independent police authority must be established.

He said the Commissioner would still be responsible for the policing plan, but the authority would approve it as well as allocating budgets and appointing senior officers.

The Department of Justice said it has no plans to introduce an independent policing authority.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan said he has never experienced political interference in the course of his leadership of the force.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0403/315916-further-garda-station-closures-in-the-offing/

Same objective, different motivations perhaps.

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 6:40pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Same objective, different motivations perhaps.

I disagree, I think Shatter & Callinan have always been too close.

Take the situation between Shatter and Mick Wallace, in regards to him being stopped for using his phone. Clearly Shatter was fed this information by Callinan. That is not a healthy working relationship for the minister and the comissioner to have.

This demand from the GRA for an independent police authority was a clear step to stop the above influence from occuring.

msg11 · 25-03-2014 6:41pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I would not go as far to say the force is out of control.

As a serving Reserve if anything this just bashes down even more the moral of the full time members. Someone needs to be in charge that fights for the members and develops some changes for good, changes on all levels that keep everyone happy.

This is now the perfect opportunity. IMO the government appointing someone to be Commissioner/CEO of any public entity/organisation is a perfect conditions for a scandal or disaster. It should be either voted for internally by the members or handed over the public appointments service.

Iwannahurl · 25-03-2014 6:50pm

Hitchroun wrote: »

I disagree, I think Shatter & Callinan have always been too close.

Take the situation between Shatter and Mick Wallace, in regards to him being stopped for using his phone. Clearly Shatter was fed this information by Callinan. That is not a healthy working relationship for the minister and the comissioner to have.

This demand from the GRA for an independent police authority was a clear step to stop the above influence from occuring.

AGS wants an Independent Police Commissioner but has obstructed the GSOC on several (or even numerous) cases.

Doesn't add up.

An organisation that circles the wagons when confronted by the GSOC is not one seeking openness and transparency in the form of an Independent Commission, I reckon.

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 6:59pm

Iwannahurl wrote: »

AGS wants an Independent Police Commissioner but has obstructed the GSOC on several (or even numerous) cases.

Doesn't add up.

An organisation that circles the wagons when confronted by the GSOC is not one seeking openness and transparency in the form of an Independent Commission, I reckon.

What obstructions are you referring to?

Would you rather they didn't call for an independent police authority?

charlie14 · 25-03-2014 7:31pm

The Smithwicks report found the GS and Callinan were more interested in covering for each other than getting to the truth. Is the appointment of a new head of the force from within going to change that culture, or the attempts from within the force to hinder GSOC?
Imo, cannot see it

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 7:41pm

charlie14 wrote: »

The Smithwicks report found the GS and Callinan were more interested in covering for each other than getting to the truth. Is the appointment of a new head of the force from within going to change that culture, or the attempts from within the force to hinder GSOC?
Imo, cannot see it

The Smithwicks report found nothing, the Judge overseeing it did suggest that the gardai were more loyal to the AGS than honest admittedly.

3 retired gardai from the 1980's does not reflect on the AGS's current culture.

Do you have any other examples?

Edit: More to the point, this investigation was not carried out by GSOC.

D.Campbell · 25-03-2014 7:51pm

Looks like they are all covering their bums, running to tell us about the taping B.S big time holding on to their jobs more like

Fred Swanson · 25-03-2014 7:53pm

This post has been deleted.

Hitchroun · 25-03-2014 7:57pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Surely this is the opposite of what happened.

The government was made aware of the practice in November 2013.

Shady Tady · 25-03-2014 7:58pm

Hitchroun wrote: »

Surely this is the opposite of what happened.

The government was made aware of the practice in November 2013.

Fred isn't interested in the facts

Commissioner Callinan resigns with immediate effect

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