Whistleblower forced to "retreat to garda station" after confrontation with accuser's family

A tribunal examining allegations of a smear campaign against garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe heard evidence relating to incidents that occurred in County Cavan following the Director of Public Prosecutions' 2007 decision not to prosecute a sexual assault allegation against him. The Charleton tribunal was told that Sergeant McCabe retreated into Bailieboro Garda Station after a confrontation with family members of the woman who made the allegation. In February 2008, Sergeant McCabe wrote to his superintendent detailing the incidents, prompting an investigation. The tribunal also heard evidence regarding a 2014 Tusla notification that contained an inaccurate allegation and was received at Bailieboro District following the original accuser's request for counselling. Superintendent Leo McGinn recommended the case be reviewed by officers from outside the Cavan-Monaghan division. Senior garda witnesses denied involvement in any smear campaign against Sergeant McCabe.