McCabe smear: Fitzgerald refuses to clarify what she knew of planned campaign

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald has refused to say if she was aware of a plan to attack the character of Garda whistle-blower Maurice McCabe when she was minister for justice.

Ms Fitzgerald’s unwillingness to clarify what she or justice officials knew about attempts to smear Mr McCabe has reignited a controversy that has dogged this administration.

Last week, Labour TD Alan Kelly tabled a number of questions to Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan to elicit exactly what information the department and the then minister, Ms Fitzgerald, had about the strategy to challenge the credibility of Mr McCabe at the O’Higgins commission. The issue is now also being investigated by the Charleton Tribunal.