Comment: ‘I need to know that you’re telling the truth’, says Disclosures Tribunal judge

An awful lot of people have been telling lies under oath at the Disclosures Tribunal. That’s according to the chairman of the inquiry, Judge Peter Charleton.

The tribunal has heard from numerous gardaí, a dozen or so personnel in the child protection area, journalists and even lawyers. All are engaged in work in which the truth is regarded as central to their work. Yet, it would appear that the judge is of the opinion that some among them have lied under oath, which, if proved, would constitute a criminal offence.

“I need to know that you’re telling the truth,” he told witness Debbie McCann, a reporter for the Mail On Sunday.