MICHEAL Martin is facing pressure to apologise to the top political scalp he claimed in the garda smear campaign row.

Francis Fitzgerald quit as Tanaiste and Justice Minister last November to avoid a Fianna Fail motion of no confidence in the Dail.

Former Tanaiste Francis Fitzgerald

She fell on her sword citing the “national interest” but maintaining that she had done nothing improper.

But today Health Minster Simon Harris said his party colleague had now been “vindicated” by Thursday’s Disclosures Tribunal report, which fully accepted the evidence she had given about her handling of the case.

He said: “It is really disappointing that the opposition have yet to apologise for the charges they made against her which have now been found to be false.

“A good woman was hounded out of office. She was not afforded due process. Micheal Martin decided that she wasn’t entitled to that.

Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin

“He, for political expediency, in an effort to march Sinn Fein, demanded her head on a plate. It was disgraceful conduct.

“He should apologise, correct the record of the Dail, as should Mary Lou McDonald”. However, Fianna Fail TDs have rallied to defend their leader’s actions.

Clare deputy Timmy Dooley acknowledged Judge Peter Charleton’s finding that Fitzgerald had “cooperated fully and truthfully with his inquiry”.

But he added: “He makes no references to the way in which she allowed the Taoiseach to mislead the Dail.”

And Dublin TD Jim O’Callaghan noted that there were “political reasons” why his party had lost confidence in Fitzgerald.

Meanwhile, Micheal Martin has appealed to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to publicly agree not to bring down the government while Brexit negotiations are ongoing.

Martin asked the Taoiseach to “state upfront” that their agreement will continue until next year until a Brexit agreement is passed by the House of Commons in the UK.

He said that a continued agreement would be in the interest of the Irish people, and that an election could create “dangerous instability” during the Brexit negotiations.