‘MURPH’ PUTS LEO ON RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY
YOU could almost hear Oliver Callan’s impersonation of Leo Varadkar reacting to the Minister’s evidence: ‘Nice one, Murph!’ Eoghan Murphy was one of the most senior politicians to appear before the Charleton tribunal to date. He had been a member of the PAC at the time of the penalty points scandal, and a close ally of one of the key players in the saga – Leo Varadkar.
What the Minister could add to the reports of gossip and smears that public representatives like John McGuinness, John Deasy, Micheál Martin and Pat Rabbitte had produced, had the assembled press hungry with anticipation. What new light could he shine on the tales of meetings in car parks and the denigration of an honourable man etc? What had he heard that compelled him to appear before the tribunal?
‘I can’t say any more than to say that these were two odd individuals making claims,’ he said, referring to the characterisation he’d heard of McCabe and his fellow whistleblower.
In terms of insight, it could have been obtained from the tea ladies in Leinster House. Underwhelming, to say the least. But what followed was a little more revealing. As a member of the PAC, Mr Murphy had opposed hearing Sgt McCabe’s evidence about the penalty points scandal. The committee had been established to investigate the spending of public money, and the Minister feared they were acting beyond their remit, and were perhaps unqualified to examine the type of corruption that was being suggested. A phone call from Leo changed all that: he was growing increasingly frustrated and worried Sgt McCabe’s concerns wouldn’t made public.
His dossier of evidence would remain behind closed doors if he wasn’t allowed to appear before the PAC. ‘This person needs to be heard,’ Mr Varadkar urged Mr Murphy, who was now inclined to agree. In any case, as he told the tribunal, the opinion of his fellow PAC members had swung towards hearing McCabe, and his ability to influence them was dwindling.
The Taoiseach, as transport minister, played a key role in the rehabilitation of Sgt Maurice McCabe. His remark that the whistleblowers were ‘distinguished’ rather than disgusting was a pointed reference to Martin Callinan and the first suggestion from the political classes that the whistleblowers were on to something.
During the row that led to Frances Fitzgerald’s dismissal as tánaiste last year, the Taoiseach was at pains to point out his history of supporting Sgt McCabe.
Yesterday Eoghan Murphy provided an on-the-record reminder that Mr Varadkar has been on the right side of the story from the very start. And thus conjured the image of a Callan’s Kicks caricature of Leo and his most trusted Minister. One could almost picture Murphy fist-bumping Leo and grinning: ‘No probs, Teesh!’