A new set of Garda allegations - Immediate action is essential

If weekend reports that gardaí are still cancelling penalty points for law-breaking  drivers are true, and there is absolutely no reason to imagine that they are not, then our police force has become a sorry, dysfunctional and, though it is tragic and frightening to have to use these descriptions, a corrupt and out-of-control force.

The claim is based on  information, given in recent days to Dáil Public Accounts Committee chairman Fianna Fáil's John McGuinness, by garda whistle blower and Traffic Corps officer Sgt Maurice McCabe. They were published by The Sunday Times.

Sgt McCabe insists that that the abuses remain widespread and continue on a "wholesale" basis despite repeated assurances from the highest levels of garda management that the inappropriate practice had ceased. The allegation takes on an even more serious aspect because Sgt McCabe has told Mr McGuinnness that he had made an official report on the ongoing misuse of power but to no avail.