Retired garda chief apologises over congratulatory circular

A retired garda chief superintendent has apologised to the Charleton Tribunal for a 2011 circular sent to stations in the Cavan-Monaghan division congratulating members of Baileboro garda district. Colm Rooney told the tribunal that he issued the letter after being informed by then Assistant Commissioner Derek Byrne that an internal investigation had found no criminal conduct, systemic failures, or breaches of procedure in the district. Mr Rooney stated that in light of subsequent findings by the O'Higgins Commission of Inquiry and a review by Sean Guerin SC, he now believes the views expressed in his letter were inappropriate and unwarranted. The tribunal is currently examining whether former garda commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan inappropriately relied on unjustified grounds to discredit whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe at the O'Higgins Commission in 2015.