O'Sullivan tells tribunal she was "absolutely committed" to supporting McCabe

Former Garda Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan told the Charleton tribunal today that she faced an "almost impossible dilemma" in supporting whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe while simultaneously having his evidence tested at the O'Higgins Commission of Investigation in 2015. The tribunal is examining whether unjustified grounds were inappropriately used to discredit Sergeant McCabe during proceedings into his complaints of garda malpractice in the Cavan-Monaghan Division. Ms O'Sullivan said she never believed Sergeant McCabe acted in bad faith and was "absolutely committed" to supporting him on workplace issues. She described having recognised that his evidence required testing as a witness before the Commission, and acknowledged this may have altered his perception of her intentions. Ms O'Sullivan said she reconfirmed instructions to her legal team on 15 May 2015 after a legal dispute arose, stressing she had not instructed counsel to challenge Sergeant McCabe's integrity. Her evidence continues tomorrow.