The Government confirmed yesterday that it had fired Supt Kevin Lennon from the Garda because of the Morris tribunal's finding that he had orchestrated hoax explosives finds to further his career.
The Cabinet decided on Tuesday to dismiss him but delayed making the announcement until he had been informed in writing of the decision.
A short Government statement issued yesterday said: "The Government at its meeting yesterday decided to dismiss Supt Kevin Lennon from the Garda Síochána pursuant to the powers vested in it by section 10(4) of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act 1925."
Supt Lennon and Det Garda Noel McMahon were found by the Morris tribunal - investigating Garda activities in the Donegal division - to have orchestrated hoax explosives finds in the run-up to the IRA ceasefire of 1994, and to have offered the tribunal "a tissue of lies". The tribunal found them to be "joint conspirators" in this regard.
The interim report of the Morris tribunal was published in July. It criticised 17 serving and former gardaí variously for obstructing the tribunal, lying, negligence in their duties and improper behaviour.
Det McMahon resigned from the Garda Síochána in July, while two senior gardaí criticised in the tribunal report took early retirement.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, resolved in July to seek the dismissal of Supt Lennon, who has been suspended from his job since August 2002. Gardaí from the rank of superintendent and higher cannot be fired by the Garda Commissioner and must be removed from their posts by the Cabinet.
Supt Lennon also failed in July in his efforts to have his legal costs paid by the State, or by the tribunal.
He became a garda in 1975, being stationed first in Buncrana, Co Donegal. He rose through the ranks while being moved to different locations in the State before being appointed superintendent in 1996.
In his final presentation to the tribunal he said he had been "singled out as the fall guy, the rogue cop who brought upon or visited upon the division of Donegal the problems that you now have to deal with".