Courts / Donegal / Report

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

Summary

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.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Howlin tells tribunal he had "duty" to put journalist's allegations on record. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 2017 Other
• 8 February 2018 Other
• 8 February Other
• 2018-05-31 Publication

Why: Credit: Collins) By Gerard Cunningham Labour leader Brendan Howlin has said he had a duty to put information he was given by a journalist on the public record in the Dáil in February 2017 in order to inform the debate on the terms of reference for the Charleton tribunal. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

• Rapist father loses appeal as court finds complaint evidence was admissible
• 'Women shouldn't have to live in fear going to work': Violent rapist gets 11 years for harassment and threats to three journalists
• Man who raped his daughter appeals conviction
• Journalists speak of living in fear after harassment and threats from violent rapist
• Human trafficking conspirator to be extradited to UK after being hit with attempted murder charge
• 10.5 years for man who raped and sexually abused daughter

Read the original CNI report