Journalist "floored" by allegations against McCabe

Journalist Michael Clifford told the Charleton Tribunal that he was initially shocked when he first learned of allegations of sexual abuse against Sergeant Maurice McCabe in early 2014. Mr Clifford said he heard the allegations on three separate occasions from different sources and investigated them, concluding they were without foundation. He told the tribunal that former garda superintendent David Taylor had indicated that text messages seized during a garda inquiry contained evidence of a smear campaign against the whistleblower. However, Superintendent Taylor subsequently told the tribunal that no such text messages existed and that any negative briefings about Sergeant McCabe were given verbally. Former garda commissioners Martin Callinan and Nóirín O'Sullivan have denied a smear campaign occurred. Three journalists, including former Irish Examiner editor Tim Vaughan and RTÉ correspondent John Burke, testified they did not receive negative briefings about Sergeant McCabe. The tribunal, examining allegations that senior gardaí smeared the whistleblower, continues its proceedings.