Courts / Ireland / Report
Some gardai viewed Maurice McCabe as "a bitter little man", Garda communications chief accepts
2018-04-13
Trial
Summary
During the Charleton Tribunal, Andrew McLindon, the civilian Director of Communications for An Garda Síochána, testified about alleged attempts by senior Gardaí to smear whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe. McLindon, appointed in 2013, said he had never received instructions to brief negatively on McCabe and would have been "appalled" if such a campaign had occurred. He noted that the 2006 sexual‑abuse allegation against McCabe had been investigated by the Gardaí and the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed no prosecution, finding no evidence of a crime. McLindon acknowledged that some Gardaí, including former press officer Superintendent David Taylor, claimed they were instructed by Commissioner Martin Callinan to brief negatively on McCabe. McLindon also mentioned a note titled "Start Sgt McCabe 2006" from a meeting preparing for Callinan's Public Account Committee appearance, indicating the allegations were discussed.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Some gardai viewed Maurice McCabe as "a bitter little man", Garda communications chief accepts. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 2014 Other
- 2018-04-13 Publication
Topics
Help us improve this report
Your request is saved for the newsroom's next review. It does not immediately change the published report.
Prefer email? Send a correction request.