Michael Clifford: Witnesses’ awareness of current events comes under judge’s scrutiny

Peter Charleton asked a witness at the Disclosures Tribunal whether she was aware that Leo Varadkar was the Taoiseach. The witness, a social worker, confirmed that she was aware of this. She also knew Enda Kenny was the previous Taoiseach, writes Michael Clifford

Not just that, but she confirmed, when asked, that she had heard about the recent fire tragedy in London.

The chairman’s queries were valid. During her time in the witness box, Laura Connolly had repeatedly given evidence that she knew nothing about the Maurice McCabe story prior to being contacted by the tribunal for a statement in March.