Whistleblower bullied and called a "rat", barrister tells tribunal

A garda whistleblower was subjected to hostility and bullying within the Cavan-Monaghan division, the Charleton tribunal heard. Sergeant Maurice McCabe's barrister told the inquiry that whilst some garda witnesses claimed never to have discussed the sergeant, evidence indicated he faced considerable animosity from certain quarters, including being called a "rat" on social media. Retired Chief Superintendent James Sheridan acknowledged awareness of the bullying but denied any personal involvement in undermining Sergeant McCabe or conspiring to damage his reputation. The tribunal examined an erroneous HSE notification containing incorrect sexual abuse allegations against Sergeant McCabe, which Mr Sheridan characterised as a catastrophic error attributable to the HSE rather than gardaí. He stated that follow-up actions agreed at a July 2014 meeting were not pursued, though rejected suggestions this was deliberate. The original 2006 complaint against Sergeant McCabe resulted in the Director of Public Prosecutions directing no prosecution.