McDowell: Abuse claim introduced to ‘embarrass’ McCabe

An attempt to introduce the Garda handling of an historic abuse allegation made against whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe at the O’Higgins Commission was made solely for the purpose of embarrassing the sergeant, the Charleton Tribunal has been told.

The DPP ruled out a prosecution in the Miss D case in 2007, saying there was no evidence an offence had been committed. Sgt McCabe wanted the DPP’s instructions to be given to Miss D’s family, but this was not possible because of the DPP’s policy at the time, the tribunal heard.

Senior counsel Michael McDowell, representing Sgt McCabe, said it was his client’s case that after it was decided that the case should not be part of the terms of reference for the O’Higgins Commission, it “was dragged back in a collateral way to embarrass him [McCabe]”.