Final report of O’Higgins commission published

The final report of the O’Higgins commission, presented to Tánaiste and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald last month, has been published.

The commission was launched to investigate and report on certain matters relative to the Cavan/Monaghan Division of the Garda Síochána following allegations by Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “The Commission of Investigation, using the wide range of statutory powers available to it, has now established, as definitively as it is possible to do, the facts surrounding the difficult matters it was asked to examine.

“Mr Justice O’Higgins has produced a thorough and thoughtful report which deserves the most careful consideration so that we can do everything possible to avoid a repeat of the issues which gave rise to the Commission of Investigation in the first place.”

The final report makes a number of recommendations in relation to Garda management and Ms Fitzgerald said she wanted to hear Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan’s proposals for them.

Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter has said the report vindicates him after an earlier report by barrister Séan Guerin SC criticised his handling of whistleblower allegations.

The Guerin Report contributed to Mr Shatter’s subsequent resignation.

In a statement, Mr Shatter said: “If the Government, as it must, accepts the O’Higgins Commission findings in full, the Taoiseach now has a duty to correct the Dáil record.

“The Government also has a duty to ensure the now discredited adverse conclusions and opinions contained in the Guerin Report are acknowledged to be in error and corrected and that the Report is withdrawn from circulation in its present form.”