The Gardaí has been accused of bad policing in dozens of investigations into murders, abductions and assaults.

Last Wednesday, in the course of a debate on new whistleblower legislation, Independent TD Mick Wallace referred to a transcript of a conversation between Garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe and the man who held the office of Confidential Recipient.

EVERY now and again, the past rises up to smite the present, and last week presented once such prime example.

The Garda ombudsman is investigating an allegation of a cover-up within the force in a case involving a criminal who committed murder when he was on bail for serious violent charges.

MARY Lynch heard about the murder on the nine o’clock news. It said a woman had been beaten to death and gardaí were looking for a 23-year-old man.