An Garda Síochána

Helen McEntee says there may have been ‘different response’ to pictures of Simon Harris with gardaí

Justice Minister faced criticism when images of her walking with gardaí appeared in the media

Helen McEntee, Minister for Justics: “I met with [gardaí], I went into the station, and look, you know, people have criticised that, that is their right to do so, but my sole focus on that day was to make sure that I was engaging with the gardaí.” Picture: Fergal Phillips

Helen McEntee, the Minister for Justice, said there “might have been a different response” to when she was photographed with gardaí and when Simon Harris, who covered the portfolio during her maternity leave, was pictured in a similar situation.

McEntee faced criticism when images of her walking down the street with gardaí appeared in national media.

She said she was not on a garda “walkabout” when she was photographed with members of the force on ...