Why Fine Gael can’t turn the page on Maurice McCabe

In July 2015, the following was the official line to be conveyed to the media by the minister for justice about the status of Sgt Maurice McCabe.

“Both the garda commissioner and myself have made it clear that Sgt McCabe is a valued member of the force.”

The quote is from a briefing note to then minister Frances Fitzgerald at the time. Its basic message is that we think the whistleblower is a top man.