Force endures its darkest hour, with one light shining

There is a theme running through the narrative of the Guerin report like a thread. Time and again, the same issues arise: A criminal investigation is not conducted properly. Sergeant Maurice McCabe complains about it in a detailed manner. The complaint is investigated by senior officers, more often than not concluding there is little to see here.

Just one outstanding problem is unearthed again and again: McCabe. He is the problem. Without him, there would be no issues arising. Everybody would just turn the other way and get on with the job.

The chain of events set out by Seán Guerin is shocking. He goes through 12 separate matters highlighted by McCabe — most of them involving criminal cases which were not properly investigated, with scant regard for the victims.