Garda Commissioner contacted Sgt Maurice McCabe

Whistleblower called Noirin O’Sullivan’s office after she appeared before committee

The interim Garda Commissioner Noirin O'Sullivan has contacted whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe in response to concerns he raised about evidence she gave to the Oireachtas justice committee this week.

Sergeant McCabe, who is currently on sick leave, contacted Ms O’Sullivan’s office on Wednesday after she told the committee he had received the full support of Garda management who had been in touch with him “on a daily basis”.

Sources close to Sgt McCabe immediately denied that he had received any such contact.

In a statement tonight, the Garda press office also confirmed the interim commissioner had “provided clarification” to the committee in relation to this evidence.

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“We can confirm that the Commissioner has been in contact with Sergeant Maurice McCabe and has assured him of the support of Garda management and that any matters raised by him will be fully addressed,” it said.

“To this end the Commissioner requested Sergeant McCabe to identify a suitable person to whom he would outline those issues.

“The Commissioner has also provided clarification to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Defence.”

Sources close to Sgt McCabe told The Irish Times on Wednesday that he had not had any contact with senior management, apart from being told his access to the Pulse Garda computer system had been reinstated and attending a number of meetings with senior officers to complain of harassment by colleagues.

In her evidence to the committee on Wednesday Ms O’Sullivan said: “What I can say is that senior Garda management are very supportive of Sgt Maurice McCabe and certainly are in contact with him on a daily basis”.

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard

Mark Hilliard is a reporter with The Irish Times