1,000 signatures reached
To: An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan
The State should NOT pay Martin Callinan's legal costs
The State established the Disclosures Tribunal to see if Garda Maurice McCabe was the victim of a smear campaign by senior Gardai. The Tribunal report found that the most senior Garda in the country - former commissioner Matin Callinan did in fact consciously smear Garda Mc Cabe. Now it seems the State is preparing to underwrite the legal costs of this guilty party who is attempting to defend himself in an action brought by Maurice McCabe.
What the State should be doing is agree to settle the action brought by Garda McCabe instead of defending the indefensible. The State should also take a closer look at the former commissioners contract of employment as there should be a clause in that covering disciplinary action against him should he bring the force into disrepute
Why is this important?
1. The most senior Garda in the country knowingly and deliberately smeared a serving Garda who raised the shortcomings in performance of other Gardai.
2. The State already funded the Tribunal to establish the facts and the facts have vindicated Garda McCabe.
3. For the State to then indemnify the guilty party is further persecuting the McCabe's and also means there is no consequence for the guilty party.
4. The Minister for Justice should review the former commissioners contract of employment to see what sanctions were possible for breach of contact for bringing the force into disrepute. If there is such a provision the State should then seek to review his retirement and pension arrangements and if necessary take action to recover costs borne by the State because of his scurrilous actions.
5. This sets a dangerous precedent, where employees of the State can ruin peoples lives with absolutely no consequence for their actions.
The government say that this is being done on legal advice - I would strongly suggest getting a second opinion. The legal profession won't be on the hook for the costs if this goes unchallenged, it will be ordinary citizens of this state. A functioning police force is one of the cornerstones of a democracy. We expect better from the most senior police officer in the land.
How it will be delivered
Email - but if there is enough desire to have this done publicly in front of Leinster House, then that can be arranged.