Disgraced Garda Superintendent Kevin Lennon has responded to a letter from the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell asking him why he should not be dismissed from the force.
The Morris Tribunal report found that Supt Lennon was one of two gardai who orchestrated hoax bomb finds in Donegal.
The other garda, Detective Noel McMahon, has already resigned and two other officers will take early retirement from midnight.
The Department of Justice is now studying the legal and factual aspects of Superintendent Lennon's response.
The letter is to be reviewed by Mr McDowell before the Cabinet decides whether or not to sack him.
