Update 10.25am: The retired judge conducting a review of an alleged garda smear campaign against whistleblowers in the Force has asked for an extension to December 9 to deliver his report.

It had been due today.

In a statement, the Department of Justice confirmed the request for an extension, adding: “(Judge Iarfhlaith O’Neill ) has indicated to the Tánaiste that he is confident that he will be in a position to submit his report no later than 9 December.”

Earlier:

A report into an alleged “smear campaign” against Garda whistleblowers is due to be published today.

Former High Court Judge Iarfhlaith O’Neil has been investigating claims that Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan was part of the tactics.

Commissioner O’Sullivan has publicly denied knowing anything about the alleged campaign to smear whistleblowers, and said she would condemn any smear campaign against an officer.

It is understood two senior gardaí have said they were ordered to discredit whistleblowers.

In October, the report was promised within six weeks.

Special Correspondent with the Irish Examiner Mick Clifford broke the story. He said: “If we can go by precedent, the review will say either that no further action is required or that a full commission of investigation may be required to look into it further.”

MICHAEL CLIFFORD: Claims suggest worse-than-imagined ‘whistleblower reprisal’