Garda press chief suspended over Mccabe retires
Taylor admitted role in smearing whistleblower
A MAN who played a key role in the smear campaign against Garda whistleblower Maurice Mccabe has retired.
Supt David Taylor stood down just days after his target also left the force.
It is understood he handed in his badge at midnight on Sunday.
Taylor was the former press officer while Martin Callinan was Garda Commissioner and claimed he was part of a plot to blacken Mr Mccabe’s name.
His application to retire from the force was approved by Garda chief Drew Harris.
He had been under the spotlight by senior officers over his testimony to the Charleton Tribunal but his retirement now means disciplinary action will end.
Commissioner
Harris suspended him two days after the publication of Mr Justice Peter Charleton’s report.
It was alleged he had brought the Force into disrepute.
Sources said: “The Commissioner had sought legal advice to determine if he could block the retirement as he was seeking a discipline file on Taylor. Gardai must ask for permission to resign and it must be approved by the cabinet.
“That is a formality but in rare circumstances the Commissioner can refuse – the legal advice did not permit that course on this occasion.”
Taylor had been a member of the Special Detective Unit.
He fell foul of Commissioner Noirin O’sullivan and was under investigation for alleged press leaks.
He was cleared of that but then hit controversy again over his smear campaign admission.
He will now retire on full pension having served more than 30 years.
The chief sought legal advice to see if he could block his retirement GARDA SOURCE YESTERDAY