The events of recent days have thrown into sharp relief an earlier alleged attempt to smear Sgt Maurice McCabe at the O’Higgins commisison.

The Garda Ombudsman is to investigate claims two senior officers misrepresented a 2008 meeting with whistle-blower Maurice McCabe to the O’Higgins commission by alleging he was motivated by malice.

Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan has denied her legal team was instructed to “impugn the integrity” of whistleblower Maurice McCabe or to claim he was acting maliciously.