John Wilson.

Whistleblowers' latest: Claims judge put pressure on Wilson to withdraw allegations

The Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter, has said that he is seeking legal advice over claims that a judge put pressure on Garda whistleblower John Wilson to withdraw allegations against a senior member of the force.

This is the first time that a member of the judiciary has been implicated in the controversies that culminated last Tuesday with the early retirement of Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan.

The Garda Siochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is also examining the claims, which it’s reported were made in sworn statements by Wilson to the gardaí and GSOC. He is said to have alleged that the judge attempted to pervert the course of justice by asking him to drop a complaint about a senior officer who cancelled the penalty points of a number of people.

The judge at the centre of the allegations has confirmed he met Mr Wilson, but denies pressurising him to withdraw the complaint.

Mr Shatter was informed of the allegations against the judge almost a month ago.

Department of Justice officials are seeking to meet with representatives of Wilson, who is recovering after surgery, to discuss the matter.

Wilson had declared as an independent candidate in the forthcoming local elections in the Cavan/Belturbet area. However, he has yet to make a decision on whether or not he will continue in the race following his recent illness.

The latest revelation follows on from the Garda taping controversy, making this development another in a minefield threatening Minister Shatter’s position.