Courts / Ireland / Report

Callinan made no attempt to smear McCabe, former Dept head tells tribunal

Summary

The Charleton tribunal heard evidence from former Department of Justice secretary general Brian Purcell, who stated that former garda commissioner Martin Callinan made no attempt to smear whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe. Purcell testified that in 2013, Callinan provided a factual briefing regarding a 2006 historic abuse allegation by a Miss D, noting that the DPP directed no prosecution because the investigation found no evidence of a crime. Purcell described his primary concern as the handling of penalty points and the risk of confidential information entering the public domain. He clarified that a text message praising Callinan's performance before the Public Accounts Committee was a gesture of solidarity. Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy told the tribunal that rumours circulated in Leinster House that garda whistleblowers were "odd," aiming to discredit their uncomfortable evidence. Murphy noted that Leo Varadkar was frustrated that Sgt McCabe's claims were not being taken seriously. Former garda John Kennedy, who worked as a driver for Labour minister Pat Rabbitte, denied telling Rabbitte that Sgt McCabe "couldn't be trusted with children." Kennedy stated he did not know Sgt McCabe and expressed sympathy for him. Tribunal chairman Mr Justice Peter Charleton remarked that he did not believe Kennedy was a malicious gossip, suggesting any such conversation would have been confidential. The matter was adjourned, with the tribunal set to resume to hear evidence from Supt Frank Walsh.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Callinan made no attempt to smear McCabe, former Dept head tells tribunal. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• January 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 1972 to 2006 Other
• 2018-04-16 Publication

Why: Mr Purcell said that he understood the reason why Mr Callinan sought a meeting with PAC chairman John McGuinness after the hearing was because he was concerned that if Sgt McCabe gave evidence in public, that confidential information would be made public. CNI source report

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Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report