Daniel Costigan (1911–1979) was Commissioner of the Garda Síochána from July 1952 until February 1965. Costigan was the second, and final, civilian commissioner of the Garda Siochana.

Personal life

He and his wife Hilda had three sons and three girls.Stepaside for Mark
Kevin Rafter, Sunday Tribune, 27 July 2005, retrieved 11 December 2009 He was widowed in 1966.

Visit by John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Commissioner Costigan was involved in the security for the visit of then President

John F. Kennedy John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to by his initials JFK and the nickname Jack, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination ...

to Ireland in 1963.Ireland Knew of Threats to Kennedy in 1963 Trip
, Alan Cowell, December 29, 2008, retrieved 11 December 2009 Three death threats had been received and Commissioner Costigan urged his subordinates not to overlook the possibility of any such threat no matter how implausible. He regarded Kennedy's state visit as the most significant event in the country's history since independence.

Criticism by Charles Haughey

In 1963, then Minister for Justice

Charles Haughey Charles James Haughey (; 16 September 1925 – 13 June 2006) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Taoiseach on three occasions – 1979 to 1981, March to December 1982 and 1987 to 1992. He was also Minister for the Gaeltacht from ...

accused the Commissioner of "talking through his hat" after learning that only 15% of criminals were

fingerprint A fingerprint is an impression left by the friction ridges of a human finger. The recovery of partial fingerprints from a crime scene is an important method of forensic science. Moisture and grease on a finger result in fingerprints on surfac ...

ed (petty criminals were not).Angry Haughey hit out at garda chief
, Fergus Black, Irish Independent, 30 December 2008, retrieved 11 December 2009

Criticism by Murphy Report

The

Murphy Report The Murphy Report is the brief name of the report of a Commission of investigation conducted by the Irish government into the sexual abuse scandal in the Catholic archdiocese of Dublin. It was released in 2009 by Judge Yvonne Murphy, only a few ...

criticised Commissioner Costigan for his handling of allegations of child abuse by Fr. Edmondus (pseudonym).Garda connivance in stifling abuse inquiries deplored
, Carol Coulter,

The Irish Times ''The Irish Times'' is an Irish daily broadsheet newspaper and online digital publication. It launched on 29 March 1859. The editor is Ruadhán Mac Cormaic. It is published every day except Sundays. ''The Irish Times'' is considered a newspaper ...

, 27 November 2009, retrieved 11 December 2009Murphy Report, Part 2
, Section 13.5 Scotland Yard had contacted him concerning images that the priest had sent to be developed in the UK. Commissioner Costigan asked Archbishop

John Charles McQuaid John Charles McQuaid, C.S.Sp. (28 July 1895 – 7 April 1973), was the Catholic Primate of Ireland and Archbishop of Dublin between December 1940 and January 1972. He was known for the unusual amount of influence he had over successive govern ...

to handle it because a priest was involved and he claimed "Gardaí could prove nothing".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Costigan, Daniel Garda Commissioners 1911 births 1979 deaths