Investigation into Guerin report will give a voice to victims, says McCabe

Garda whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe says the establishment of the commission of investigation into matters raised in the Guerin report will give a "voice" to the victims of cases that he highlighted.

Representatives of rank-and-file gardaí at the centre of those complaints said they had “nothing to hide” and said they have been calling for a statutory inquiry since the Guerin report was published eight months ago.

The Garda Representative Association said the Guerin report was “a set of allegations” based on the views of Sgt McCabe, which had left gardaí “tarnished”.

The Government has nominated Justice Kevin O’Higgins, a former judge of the High Court and the General Court of the EU, to the commission.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said the commission was expected to report within a year.

Sgt McCabe told the Irish Examiner he welcomed the inquiry: “The terms of reference are comprehensive. Everything will come out in the inquiry.

“This is an opportunity for the voice of the victims to be heard.”

Sean Guerin said that while he did not determine the truth or otherwise of Sgt McCabe’s complaints, the documentation he examined gave cause “to share concern” in them and that there was “cause for concern as to the adequacy” of the investigations.

James Morrisroe, GRA representative for Cavan/ Monaghan, welcomed the commission.

“Members have been left tarnished, so they are eager to engage with the commission,” he said.

The terms of reference of the investigation cover all the terms recommended by Sean Guerin SC:

- Garda investigations into nine specific incidents in Co Cavan.

- Investigations by Gardaí, the Minister for Justice and the department of Sgt McCabe’s complaints.

- Investigations by Gardaí and the Garda Ombudsman of garda disciplinary issues.

- The general conduct of policing at Bailieborough Garda Station in 2007 and 2008.

- The management and operational structure and resource allocation for Bailieborough.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties expressed disquiet at the “parochial focus” of the investigation, saying it should look at wider systemic issues.