The Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy is seeking a full report on the representations made to the gardaí by Junior Minister Trevor Sargent.

Deputy Sargent is under fire over a letter he wrote to a garda on behalf of a constituent seeking to intervene in a prosecution.

The constituent for whom he acted for was subsequently convicted of threatening and abusive behaviour and fined €500.

Fine Gael have described the letter, which was written on Department of Agriculture headed paper, as “totally inappropriate”.

Speaking to Lunchtime here on Newstalk, Fine Gael’s Justice Spokesperson Charlie Flanagan said Deputy Sargent needs to clarify matters.

“This a situation of some seriousness” he said.

“It does require an explanation in the form of a statement from Junior Minister Trevor Sargent on the face of it”.

“There’s a matter of a government minister seeking to pervert the course of justice” he added.