O'Higgins report: Accountability for public and victims of crime now the key challenge

The O'Higgins report into how Gardai investigated complaints made by whistleblower Maurice McCabe raises serious concerns of accountability within the force, argues Michael Clifford. 

On page 27 of the O’Higgins report, the retired judge has this to say about how the gardai initially investigated complaints by Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

“There was a corporate closing of ranks,” O’Higgins reports. It’s as close as he came to using the phrase “cover-up”. But, in keeping with the tame tone of the report, he goes on to qualify the statement. “The commission does not consider that this was done consciously or deliberately. There was no question of bad faith.”