Time will tell if Garda stones were turned over — and if any were thrown

Garda bosses talked up data but not all of it was to hand at the Policing Authority meeting, writes Michael Clifford.

You’d love to take Nóirín O’Sullivan at face value. You’d love to believe her when she talks about the guards moving from a blame to a learning culture. But fool me once, shame on me; fool me twice and I’ll see you at the Charleton Tribunal.

The Policing Authority heard from Ms O’Sullivan and her senior officers yesterday in Dublin Castle. She can expect to be making a few other appearances there. It will also host the Charleton Tribunal on whether gardaí attempted to blacken Sergeant Maurice McCabe in the old days when a blame culture prevailed within the force.