Michael Clifford: One central premise for Disclosures Tribunal no longer exists

Few would ever have to endure their personal lives being exposed to the public glare as Marisa Simms did yesterday, writes Michael Clifford.

She spent the day in the witness box at the Disclosures Tribunal relating an extremely difficult time in her life.

Even more stark than the evidence of her personal life was her admission o that she no longer alleges the HSE or Tusla acted in any improper manner, or was influenced by the gardaí to investigate the welfare of her children. The allegation, as noted by the lawyer for Tusla, Paul Anthony McDermott yesterday, was “why we were here… and is no longer being pursued”. Many who were in attendance at the Dublin Castle hearing yesterday might have arrived at the same conclusion.