Maurice McCabe retires - A brave citizen
There are very few living Irish people who have had the impact that Sgt Maurice McCabe has had.
The careers of two justice ministers, two Garda commissioners, and a secretary of the Department of Justice ran into the sands directly or indirectly over issues related to his refusal to turn a blind eye to what he perceived as corruption.
He was unwavering, since he made his first complaint in January 2006, one that led to the disciplining of a colleague. He was the subject of contrived intimidation and appalling, deliberately placed rumours. His actions were once described as “disgusting” by the now disgraced former Garda commissioner, Martin Callinan.
Sgt McCabe retires today, two weeks after the publication of the Disclosures Tribunal report and apologies from the Taoiseach, the minister for justice, and the Garda commissioner. He deserves our deepest thanks.
The culture he did so much to uncover must be reformed for the good of society and of An Garda Síochána — and to ensure that the next McCabe might feel justified in taking such huge risks.