Whistleblower Maurice McCabe to head traffic unit

Sergeant Maurice McCabe, the officer known as the garda whistleblower, has been appointed as acting head of the traffic unit in Mullingar.

The appointment, while technically not a promotion, is an indication that Sgt McCabe is being allowed to resume his career in a manner effectively denied him for the last seven years.

It also indicates a change in approach from Garda management, which had been hostile towards Sgt McCabe, best exemplified in the statement last year of former commissioner Martin Callinan that Sgt McCabe’s actions and those of former garda John Wilson were “disgusting”.

Sources close to Sgt McCabe said he is delighted at the development, and that, “for the first time in seven years, he actually enjoys going into work”.

Over the last two years, there were a number of allegations he was being bullied at work that led to an ongoing internal investigation.

However, the Irish Examiner understands that, before accepting his current post, he was offered the possibility of a management position in Garda headquarters in Dublin, but opted to continue serving in frontline policing.

If Sgt McCabe accepts the traffic unit position on a permanent basis, he will finally be severing all ties with Bailieborough, Co Cavan, where he highlighted wrongdoing in criminal investigations.

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