Gardaí vow to renew organisation, while FF say whistleblower is vindicated

In light of today's publication of the Guerin report, the Garda Commissioner said the organisation was committed to re-newing the force.

Noirín O’Sullivan said she was continuing to assess the 300-page report by the senior counsel, but also vowed to 'fully co-operate' the commission of investigation to follow.

'The report by Mr Sean Guerin SC is detailed and extensive, and I am currently studying it closely in conjunction with my senior management team to identify immediate actions that can be taken as part of our process of change that is currently underway.
'As the Minister for Justice & Equality Frances Fitzgerald TD said today, An Garda Síochána is fully committed to a sea change in its culture and to re-new and re-invigorate the organisation.
'An Garda Síochána will fully co-operate and facilitate the commission of investigation in its examination of the serious issues raised by the report.'

Garda Commissioner O’Sullivan's statement made no reference to whistleblower, Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe however Fianna Fáil hailed the Mountnugent man, saying he has been fully vindicated.

The party’s Justice Spokesperson Niall Collins said: “This report is unequivocal in its vindication of Sergeant Maurice McCabe. It underlines just how wrong the former Justice Minister Alan Shatter and others were in their quest to undermine such a well-respected and hardworking member of An Garda Síochána who sought only ensure the proper administration of justice. And it shows how wrong the Taoiseach and his Fine Gael and Labour colleagues were to continue to protect Alan Shatter for so long throughout this crisis,” he said.
The party is calling for a “new era of reform” in An Garda Síochána, after the publication of the Guerin Report into the claims of the Garda whistleblower, which ultimately cost Justice Minister Alan Shatter his job.
“The priority must be to restore the garda force to the level of public respect that it deserves. Never have we experienced such a serious crisis in the gardaí. The sad reality is that it did not have to come to this. By arrogantly dismissing garda whistleblowers and failing to take their allegations seriously, the Government and senior garda management did a grave injustice to the vast majority of hardworking gardaí who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve the public interest every day.
“As public representatives, we all have duty to work together to ensure that this crisis is resolved, that hardworking and honest gardaí now get the support they deserve and that public faith is fully restored in An Garda Síochána,” he said.