Frances Fitzgerald’s 2015 dilemma must be seen in context of the forces of the State lined up against McCabe, but should she have questioned why he was targeted, asks Michael Clifford

When interviewed on Saturday with Claire Byrne, on RTE 1 on May 10 Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte, stated: "Sgt Maurice Mc Cabe came to him first in 2008 to whistleblow" and "he did not know that Sgt. Mc Cabe was writing to the Minister for Justice. Mr Alan Shatter".

Sinn Féin has said the new Justice Minister needs to ensure that Garda whistleblowers are protected.

A Cork chef arrested during a Garda investigation into IRA money laundering following the 2004 Northern Bank robbery has been jailed for four years for IRA membership by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin.

The Special Criminal Court in Dublin today adjourned the trial of three Northern Ireland men facing membership and firearms and ammunitions charges after hearing that the wife of one of the men died two weeks ago.