Nóirín O'Sullivan named in tribunal whistleblower claims

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Nóirín O'Sullivan was the subject of evidence at the Disclosures Tribunal, reported on 29 January 2018, concerning claims that she relied on unjustified grounds against whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

Former Department of Justice official Ken O'Leary said the department worked closely with Ms O'Sullivan because it believed the public interest required protecting her position. The tribunal was examining events surrounding the O'Higgins Commission and allegations about the treatment of Sergeant McCabe.

Mr O'Leary said the O'Higgins Commission report did not call Ms O'Sullivan's position into question. Other evidence concerned contacts between officials about a dispute over the Garda legal strategy at the commission.