Howlin tells tribunal he had "duty" to put journalist's allegations on record

At the Charleton tribunal, Labour leader Brendan Howlin testified that he felt obliged to place information received from journalist Alison O'Reilly on the Dáil record in February 2017. Mr Howlin said Ms O'Reilly had relayed allegations of sexual abuse against Sergeant Maurice McCabe, which she claimed colleague Debbie McCann attributed to senior garda figures. He stated he made clear his uncertainty regarding the veracity of these allegations, which the tribunal would investigate. Ms O'Reilly gave evidence describing her conversations with Ms McCann about the matter and her subsequent contacts with Sgt McCabe and former garda John Wilson, both of whom denied the allegations. She expressed belief that Ms McCann was being used to disseminate information. The tribunal is examining claims of a coordinated campaign against the whistleblower garda. Ms McCann has denied the conversations described by Ms O'Reilly.