Gardaí spend thousands on 'coaching' for appearances before Dáil committees

“Coaching” sessions for Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan and for other senior officers to deal with Oireachtas committees were among €140,000 worth of PR services paid for by the taxpayer, writes Daniel McConnell.

In 2016, when allegations of a smear campaign against Sgt Maurice McCabe emerged, the spend by the force with the Communications Clinic, owned by Terry Prone, jumped from €10,400 to €92,995, according to figures obtained by the Irish Examiner.