Mick Clifford: Myriad of questions around charges against decorated soldier

Alan Kearney had a meteoric rise in the Defence Forces to the rank of captain and was in line for a further, prestigious promotion when his world began to fall apart in 2021. Out of the blue, he was told he was under suspicion.

There appears to be a general rule in government with regards to inquiring into wrongdoing: If there is a political or public storm, come out immediately and assure everybody that we, the State, will get to the bottom of it.

Otherwise, keep the head down and hope this moment passes.