Gda Wilson also retired ‘for personal reasons’

When you take away all the extraneous comments, etc, on the garda whistleblowers saga, it boils down to two serving members of the Garda Síochána decided it was time to ‘disclose’ the wrongdoings of the penalty points (and other very serious issues) system.

Their concerns were not treated with the seriousness or urgency which they required — indeed the internal garda inquiry did not even see fit to interview those serving members regarding their complaints, and consequently, matters took another course (or indeed many courses) to this day.

On Monday Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan retired from An Garda Síochána, apparently, he stated, “for the good of the Force and his family”. Very commendable reasons, it goes without saying.

It should not be forgotten, however, that former Garda Wilson, has already retired for similar reasons, with particular reference to his personal health.

And equally, no doubt serving member Sergeant McCabe, and his family are under similar pressures.

However, and this is the ‘rub’. To my knowledge, neither former Garda Wilson, nor Sergeant McCabe, ever cast any aspersions intentionally or otherwise, on the actions or character of Commissioner Callinan whilst these matters dragged on.

The former Commissioner rightly highly values his family and his character, — he should have placed a similar value on the two whistleblowers and their families last January, and be man enough even at this late date to apologise for the hurt he caused to them and their families either intentionally or otherwise through his ill thought out outburst.

To date however, he has not seen fit to do this.

That said, Justice Minister Shatter’s behaviour overall towards the whistleblowers has been less than commendable, and Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s overall handling and overview of the saga to date has been nothing short of a disaster.

Its all very well for the Taoiseach to stoutly back his justice minister when justified, — however the line for such backing in this case has long since passed.

Kevin McCarthy

Gouldavoher

Limerick