MAURICE McCabe’s voice has never been heard in public. No microphone has been thrust under his chin by a salivating pack of reporters. He has not sat in the Late Late Show chair next to Ryan Tubridy and held a nation transfixed with his story. Marian Finucane has not had the opportunity to excavate his character. Neither has Matt Cooper, nor any of the programme presenters on Newstalk. Vincent Browne has never had the pleasure.

THE fallout from the end of the trial of the Anglo Irish bankers has spoken volumes. Now that little matter is out of the way, the wheels of justice, we are assured, will grind a little faster.

IF YOU were looking for a slice of contemporary Irish political culture, it was all there last week. Starring role went to Ruairi Quinn, a career politician who is on the last lap. The Greek chorus was supplied by a couple of teachers’ conferences.

MARY Robinson would never cut it as Flash Gordon. While Flash had only 14 hours to save the universe, Mrs Robinson has given us all of 20 years to save the planet.

IT WAS a historic week: Michael D went to meet the Queen; Martin Mac went to meet the Queen; Tommie Gorman went to meet the Queen.

HAVE you ever heard The Football Association of Ireland described as the greatest organisation in the country? Me neither.

THE assistant commissioner came out to the gate to meet me. He was accompanied by a detective superintendent from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

On the night of the last general election, a victorious Enda Kenny went on TV and set out his strategy for governing.

Michael Clifford says that the big winner in the penalty points furore is the administration of the law in observing road safety and, for that, two whistleblowers deserve a debt of gratitude

While the garda confidential recipient has directed his ire against opposition politicians, the media, and the whistleblower, he need only turn to the man who appointed him if he wants someone to blame, writes Michael Clifford