Former Minister for Justice Nora Owen has disputed the assertion by the present minister that low morale was behind the events that led to Donegal-based gardaí attempting to frame the McBrearty family for murder.
On RTÉ's Morning Ireland programme, Mrs Owen said Michael McDowell should be concentrating on solving the McBreartys' legal claims.
She said Mr McDowell should also ensure that structures are in place to stop anything similar occurring again.
Mrs Owen also claimed that Fianna Fáil was letting Mr McDowell take all the blame.
Yesterday, Mr McDowell confirmed that the State will give a solemn apology to the McBrearty family after the way they were 'framed' by gardaí for offences they did not commit.
He said he believed the apology would be delivered by letter to the McBreartys, as well as a number of other families in Donegal, after the facts relating to the case were out in the open.
He said he could not imagine that members of the Rainbow Government between 1995 and 1997, on whose watch these events took place, would have any objection to a full apology being made.
The minister also announced that he is to concede liability in the case being taken by Mr McBrearty, who is pleading wrongful arrest. The case is due before the courts next month.
It also emerged yesterday that two senior gardaí who were strongly criticised in the second report of the Morris Tribunal are to retire from the force.
Mr Justice Frederick Morris said Superintendent Joseph Shelly and Detective Superintendent John McGinley, along with other senior gardaí, were at fault for what he called a prejudiced and negligent investigation into the death of the Donegal cattle dealer, Richie Barron.
