Courts / Ireland / Report

"Political dynamite!!": solicitor tells McCabe tribunal she could see "trouble brewing"

Date
2018-01-17
Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Summary

In a 2018 report, State Solicitor Ann Marie Ryan told the Charleton Tribunal that she had seen "trouble brewing" when barristers representing the Garda Commissioner questioned Sergeant Maurice McCabe's integrity at the O'Higgins inquiry. Ryan, who had written "Political dynamite!!" in a note after senior counsel Colm Smyth raised McCabe's credibility, said she had hoped for a consultation with then‑Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan about instructions to the barristers, but the meeting did not occur. She claimed the Commissioner's team had been available but were preoccupied with conferences. Ryan also described a meeting on 3 November 2015 where she expected McDowell to cross‑examine the Commissioner about McCabe's integrity, but the barrister later admitted the imputation was his own error. The tribunal noted that Judge O'Higgins had found McCabe not at fault in the cases highlighted. Ryan denied any deliberate attempt to rattle McCabe on 15 May.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Political dynamite!!": solicitor tells McCabe tribunal she could see "trouble brewing". Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Places mentioned

Garda Station
  • in charge at Bailieboro Garda Station

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report

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