Whistleblowers deserve our gratitude

Michael Clifford says that the big winner in the penalty points furore is the administration of the law in observing road safety and, for that, two whistleblowers deserve a debt of gratitude

SO there was something to see after all. For a long time now, we had been told there was nothing to see here in all this palaver about penalty points and favourable treatment for some. Then yesterday, it turns out that the matter was officially a kaleidoscope of abuse and bad practice. Plenty on view here now.

The publication of the Garda Inspectorate’s report into the operation of the penalty points system is a small step along the road towards reform. This spurt of change has been driven by two members of the force, one since retired, who stepped out of a culture of secrecy to report dark truths. Sergeant Maurice McCabe and retired garda John Wilson are directly responsible for changes in the administration of fixed charge notices that were recommended yesterday.