Courts / Ireland / Report

McCabe tells tribunal that former garda press secretary was ordered to "bury" him

Date
2018-03-05
Stage
Trial

Summary

In a first‑time appearance before the Disclosures Tribunal, Sergeant Maurice McCabe alleged that former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan was "obsessed" with him and instructed former Garda press secretary Superintendent Dave Taylor to "bury" him. McCabe said Taylor, who was temporarily suspended in September 2016, claimed he had been ordered by Callinan to spread rumours that McCabe had been investigated for sexual assault. McCabe described an orchestrated campaign involving whispering, phone calls and texts, which Taylor allegedly forwarded to journalists and to Noirin O'Sullivan, who would approve the material. McCabe also recounted a meeting with Fianna Fáil TD John McGuinness, during which Callinan allegedly warned McGuinness that McCabe was untrustworthy and had abused vulnerable children. Callinan and O'Sullivan denied the smear‑campaign allegations. McCabe's protected disclosure was made on 26 September 2016.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: McCabe tells tribunal that former garda press secretary was ordered to "bury" him. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Topics

Sexual Offences Stage Trial Violent Crime

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