Mail reporter told sergeant about sex claim rumour

MAURICE McCabe first learned that the media was interested in a 2006 sexual abuse allegation against him from Mail journalist Alison O’Reilly.

Responding to Fionan Ó Muircheartaigh, counsel for Ms O’Reilly, the Garda whistleblower said: ‘I think the first time I heard there was a rumour about this was when Alison O’Reilly came to my house with another person, and she asked me about it in my kitchen and put it to me.’

He agreed that this visit had taken place in early 2014, and that Ms O’Reilly had been accompanied by another whistleblower, John Wilson.

Sergeant McCabe said it only lasted around 20 minutes ‘because I got slightly annoyed’. He continued: ‘Alison O’Reilly said there was a rumour going around that I had sexually assaulted a girl. I said, “No I didn’t.”

‘And I think she told me, “Well, everybody has it.” I said, “No, it didn’t happen.” I think that was the end of the conversation.’

Sgt McCabe said he did not ask former Garda press officer Superintendent Dave Taylor which journalists the latter had spoken to in relation to a 2012/2013 smear campaign.

Seán Gillane SC, for RTÉ, took Sgt McCabe through a number of reports made by the broadcaster on February 24 and May 9, 2016. The lawyer was asked by Judge Peter Charleton if RTÉ broadcasts of May 9 were influenced, or attempted to be influenced, by former Garda commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan or Garda headquarters.

Mr Gillane said: ‘That proposition that you put is rejected.’