Lawyer heading up whistleblower inquiry has led high-profile prosecutions

The barrister who has been asked by the Government to assess the dossier of allegations compiled by Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe has extensive experience in criminal law, acting for the State in a number of high-profile prosecutions.

Seán Guerin SC, who was called to the Bar in 1997, last year acted as counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the trial of John Dundon for the murder of rugby player Shane Geoghegan in Limerick.

He is also acting for the State in the prosecution of Dundon for the alleged murder of Limerick businessman Roy Collins, which is currently before the Special Criminal Court.

Prominent cases
Other high-profile cases in which he is representing the State include the trial of Dublin architect Graham Dwyer, who is accused of murdering childcare worker Elaine O'Hara.

While he has also been in demand as a defence lawyer, Mr Guerin has increasingly been called upon by the DPP. In 2011, he was the 10th highest paid junior counsel for the DPP, receiving €170,888 in fees, including VAT. This compared to €156,559 in 2010, €162,948 in 2009, €157,247 in 2008, and €148,951 in 2007.

Mr Guerin has also acted for the Law Society in disciplinary proceedings and was junior counsel, under George Birmingham SC, in Fine Gael's legal team for the planning tribunal.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny said Mr Guerin would be asked to report back to him before the Easter recess on the whistleblower’s dossier, which comprised “10 sample cases” which alleged negligence, incompetence and malpractice on the part of gardaí in a number of serious cases.

Mr Kenny said the barrister's report would be published.

Of Mr Guerin's scoping exercise, the Taoiseach said: "I expect that everybody will co-operate with this, including the Garda, the DPP where relevant, GSOC, the confidential recipient and the Department of Justice and Equality. "