USE THE FORCE WITHIN: Penalty Points Investigation

Employing Sgt Maurice McCabe’s talents for the betterment of the Gardaí would show that a genuine effort is being made to change the culture within the force, writes Michael Clifford

WHAT to do with a cop like Maurice McCabe? The latest revelations about abuse of the penalty points system have again thrown the Mullingar-based sergeant into the spotlight.

McCabe is, by now, the most prominent whistleblower ever to emerge from An Garda Síochána, if not the State as a whole. His revelations have had an unprecedented effect on the force and the body politic. Alan Shatter resigned as justice minister and Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan retired/resigned — both as a result, at least in part, of the manner in which they dealt with McCabe’s allegations. The Guerin Report into malpractice within the force highlighted by McCabe vindicated his actions. He has done everything by the book.