Séamus Dooley said: “Freedom of expression is a core value in democracy and we would be concerned if a cabinet member or TD were to act in a way which sought to undermine that right. It is open to all citizens, including public representatives to defend their reputation through defamation proceedings and to use due judicial process, as appropriate. In my experience it is highly unusual for An Garda Síochána to become involved in cases of this type and we need urgent clarification of what has happened in this case. Viewed against the backdrop of threats of new contempt laws this development is deeply worrying.”