Renewed calls for apology to whistle blowers

The confirmation of widespread breaches in the quashing of penalty points by the force has renewed calls for an apology to be made to Garda whistle-blowers after their claims were vindicated.

An investigation by the Garda Inspectorate found that there were no internal controls and a huge waste of resources which resulted in the loss of millions of euro in the fines system.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter has now agreed to overhaul the system. He last night acknowledged the role of Garda whistleblowers and said if they had not raised issues, they would not have been investigated.

In the hard-hitting report, the inspectorate said there were “consistent and wide- spread breaches” of Garda policy in administering the fixed-charge processing system and “no meaningful evidence” of supervision.

Chief Inspector Robert Olson said information on the system given by whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe was “credible”.

But he stressed they did not examine the sergeant’s specific allegations against individual Garda officers, which were investigated and rejected by the internal O’Mahony investigation.

The report said the State lost an estimated €7.4m over two years in revenue as a result of summons not being issued to motorists refusing to pay fines.

When inspectors examined cancellation files in nine Garda districts, they also found half had no supporting documentation.

Inspectors also found no monitoring mechanism or audits during field visits.

Numerous problems with Garda notes including incorrect and incomplete records were also found. Incomplete note taking alone saw half a million euro lost in one nine-month period.

The inspectorate also said there was a “legislative deficiency” where drivers of a hired, company, or unregistered vehicle could avoid penalties. It was also critical of the lack of evidence from off-duty gardaí for the cancellation of their fines.

Sources close to Sgt McCabe last night said that he felt vindicated and added: “He’s the only one to suffer despite all that has come out and that’s because the culture in the force remains to cover up at all costs.”

Mr Shatter briefed Cabinet colleagues yesterday on the report and the Dáil will debate it in two weeks.

Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan also said that the force would engage on changes needed in the penalty points system.

But Independent TD Mick Wallace reiterated his call for the commissioner and justice minister to go.

Fianna Fáil justice spokesman Niall Collins demanded that Mr Shatter apologise for claiming Garda whistleblowers had refused to co-operate with an inquiry into the system.