Sgt Maurice McCabe shakes Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s hand in Mullingar, Co Westmeath while Mr Kenny was canvassing on May 19. Mr Kenny did not take the opportunity to apologise to Sgt McCabe even though a week prior to their meeting, he told the Dáil he’d have no problem apologising to Sgt McCabe
In the Dáil last night, Independent TD Mick Wallace proposed – for a second time – a bill that would, among other things, pave the way for the establishment of a Garda Síochána Independent Board and to reform the powers of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Committee.
He also spoke about Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.
He said Sgt McCabe was not in work yesterday as he is still being harassed by certain colleagues and senior officers who told him he “destroyed” the force.
From Mr Wallace’s speech:
“The Bill proposes a 16-member board, to include 2 Irish Human Rights and Equality Commissioners, 4 members of the Oireachtas, the Ombudsman for Children, the Data Protection Commissioner, and the Chief Inspector of Garda Inspectorate. It is proposed that the remaining 6 members be chosen from citizen bodies, with a reserved place for the Traveller community. We believe that consideration should be given to the inclusion of 2 Garda Representatives from the low- and middle-ranks. This may go some way to improve Garda morale and to involve the Garda Siochana in the process of reform. This would allow the rank-and-file and middle-ranking Gardai more involvement and input in developing Garda policy than under the current hierarchical arrangement.”
“The Garda Inspectorate, which can look at practices, policies and procedures of the Gardai, should be answerable to the new Police Board, rather than the Minister, and should have greater powers of investigation, and its reports should be published promptly.”
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“The reforms of GSOC contained in our Bill recognise that its remit was always intended to be investigatory, rather than one of review and oversight. As the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has pointed out, “Independent police complaints bodies must have investigative powers, be able to initiate investigations of their own accord and intervene in investigations conducted by the police”. Under current legislation, GSOC is inhibited in this regard – a shortfall which has been highlighted by UN Special Rapporteur Ms Margaret Sekaggya. The Ombudsman asked the permission of the then Fianna Fail Minister for Justice to investigate policing at Corrib under Section 106, but was refused. In 2013, we appealed to Minister Shatter again to allow GSOC to use Section 106 to look at Corrib policing, and also, the allegation of racial profiling in the Gardai at the time of the Roma Children episode. Again, the Minister for Justice refused. Section 106 of the Garda Act is amended to address this.”
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“It is also crucial that any legislation put forward by government is accompanied by the political will to actually use it, otherwise there will be no change. Speaking of no change, Maurice McCabe is not at work today or yesterday. He is suffering harassment and abuse. He has been told by senior officers that he destroyed the force. He has reported the abuse through the proper channels. And there is no change. It is hard to believe that a man who has been so selfless and relentless in the pursuit of justice, could still be treated like this, given all we now know.“
Read the full speech here
Previously: The Chances
The Thin Blue Line [Updated]
