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Journalist told she has "patriotic duty" to tell the whole truth

Summary

During the Charleton tribunal, journalist Debbie McCann was asked to disclose phone conversations she had with former Garda press officer Superintendent David Taylor. McCann declined, citing journalistic privilege and the need to protect confidential sources. She explained that not all her interactions with Taylor were on the record and that she had an obligation to safeguard her sources. McCann also stated that she had not been briefed negatively about Sergeant Maurice McCabe by any Garda officer and that she had no evidence of an orchestrated smear campaign against him. The tribunal, chaired by Justice Peter Charleton, emphasized the importance of truthfulness, while McCann maintained her refusal to reveal off‑record conversations. The tribunal was scheduled to resume on Monday.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Journalist told she has "patriotic duty" to tell the whole truth. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• February 2017 Other
• 2013 and 2014 Other
• 2018-06-08 Publication

Why: "I felt I was in the most impossible position because of privilege and everything else," Ms McCann told Mr Kealey. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report