Investigating judge has not spoken to whistleblower garda

The High Court judge tasked with investigating claims of a campaign to destroy a garda whistleblower has not yet spoken to the alleged victim, the Dáil heard.

This is despite the report being due on Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald’s desk within a week.

Independents4Change TD, Clare Daly, raised the issue during leaders’ questions in the Dáil.

She pressed Mrs Fitzgerald for urgent action.

Ex-Judge Iarfhlaith O’Neill was given six weeks to investigate allegations that senior gardai tried to destroy whistleblower, Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Mr O’Neill is to recommend a course of action.

“One would be forgiven for thinking it was put together as a fig leaf for the minister to take cover behind for her lack of action in this regard,” said Ms Daly.

“This view has been strengthened, as we find out that, with a week to go to the issuing of his report, the former judge has not requested any material from either of the two whistleblowers.

“He has not met either man. He has not even spoken to either man.

“In fact, the only interaction, approximately two weeks ago, was a request to their legal teams to pass on the protected disclosure to the Garda commissioner. We could not make this up,” Ms Daly added.

In response, the Tánaiste told the Dáil she would not interfere in what is an independent process.

“As soon as I receive the report, I will consider it very carefully and examine the recommendations made, and the Government will decide on future action on the points made by the deputy,” she said.

“I asked Mr Justice O’Neill to do this review because I was very concerned, as I have stated in the House previously, at the content of the material I had received.

“This is why I decided this should be done.”

Ms Daly recieved a warning from Ceann Comhairle, Sean Ó Fearghail.

“She has made specific allegations about a committee being misled by the Garda commissioner,” said Mr Ó Fearghail.

“I think that is inappropriate, it is not something we should do and it is certainly not something the deputy should now repeat.”

Ms Daly said all comments made by her were backed up by fact and evidence.

Also at leaders’ questions, Labour leader, Brendan Howlin, raised the issue of undocumented Irish people in America, but also the plight of 26,000 undocumented people in Ireland.