Courts / Ireland / Report
"Disgusting" remark not directed personally at whistleblowers, Callinan tells tribunal
2018-05-18
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
In a hearing before the Charleton tribunal, former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan explained that his use of the word "disgusting" during a 2014 Public Accounts Committee appearance was "isolated and misconstrued" and not directed at whistleblowers. He said the remark was aimed at the manner in which issues were highlighted, expressing strong feelings about the matter. Callinan denied that he had directed media coverage to portray whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe negatively, as alleged by former garda press officer Superintendent David Taylor. He acknowledged McCabe's role in identifying system weaknesses and stated that 2.5 percent of penalty point notices were cancelled, amounting to over 10,000 notices per year. Callinan also rejected a suggestion to make a clarifying statement or give a radio interview, fearing it would exacerbate the problem. The tribunal will resume to hear further evidence from Callinan.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Disgusting" remark not directed personally at whistleblowers, Callinan tells tribunal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- January 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-05-18 Publication
Topics
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