The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Kerry TDs divided on Garda boss
KERRY TDs are divided over Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan and whether she should step aside during the inquiry into the alleged smear campaign against whistle-blower Sgt Maurice McCabe.
While Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae believes she should step aside during the inquiry, his brother Deputy Danny Healy-Rae says she should be allowed stay in place. Fianna Fáil’s John Brassil is also of the view that O’Sullivan should remain in her post while Fine Gael’s Brendan Griffin has called on her to step aside.
FIANNA Fáil TD John Brassil said the public inquiry into the shocking revelations around the treatment of garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe must be ‘concise and quick’.
The Kerry TD said that while he believes the answers to many of the most burning questions surrounding the heinous, false allegations against McCabe could be obtained in Dáil questioning, he supports the garda’s call for a full public inquiry – albeit with reservations based on the Irish experience of tribunals.
Fianna Fáil was to abstain from voting on the Sinn Féin motion of ‘no confidence’ in the Government, scheduled for tonight (Wednesday), in the interests of seeing the inquiry process out.
“We’re of the belief many of the questions raised by Maurice McCabe can be answered without recourse to a public inquiry. A public inquiry is what the McCabe family want and that is what we will support because they have been through more than enough already,” Deputy Brassil continued.
He said the Sinn Féin motion of no-confidence does not deal with the issue at the root of the shocking controversy:
“We’re not supporting the motion because it doesn’t deal with the issue. All it does it kick it down the road. We have proposed a tribunal of inquiry, the Government has agreed to that. That would satisfy us, it’s what the McCabe family, who did not call for a motion of no confidence, want and we’re trying to facilitate that as best we can,” Deputy Brassil added.
He said Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s position is ‘difficult’ but said she is entitled to the presumption of innocence and should therefore remain in her position.
“We have to proceed on the basis that if a person maintains their innocence then we have to observe due process but it is going to be very difficult for her to do her job.”
Deputy Brassil said he had serious reservations about a tribunal of inquiry. “Whatever we do I hope it will be quick and concise as we know how these are prone to finish up in lengthy fee fests for the legal profession.”
Kerry Fine Gael TD Brendan Griffin said the controversy has been a massive distraction to the day-to-day work of gardaí trying to police their communities.
The Keel native said he believes Garda Commissioner O’Sullivan should temporarily step aside until an inquiry into the case can be completed.
“There are so many questions that need to be answered. Who knew what and when,” said Deputy Griffin.
Deputy Griffin added that serious questions must be asked if public confidence is to be restored in both the Gardaí and Tusla.
Sinn Féin Kerry TD Martin Ferris said that the failure of the Government to act to protect the interests of Sgt McCabe means that it cannot credibly remain in power.
“The Government has failed demonstrably and abjectly in its response to the vicious smear campaign waged against Garda whistle-blower Sgt Maurice McCabe. The coalition cannot remain in power,” said Deputy Ferris.
“The Minister for Justice, along with the Taoiseach and Minister for Children, have given conflicting accounts of who knew what and when.
“Their positions regarding when they were informed of the Tusla file and the false allegations against Sgt McCabe simply do not stack up,” Deputy Ferris said.
“Over the past three years, Fine Gael has failed to protect the good name of Maurice McCabe and has failed to get to the bottom of his allegations and the smear campaign against him,” said Deputy Ferris.
As The Kerryman went to press it was expected that a Sinn Féin tabled motion of no confidence would be put before the Dáil on Wednesday evening.
The Government has agreed to hold a public inquiry into the McCabe affair. It appeared likely that the inquiry’s terms of reference would be debated in the Dáil next week.