Politics · United Kingdom · 6 hrs ago
Maurice McCabe says Ireland has not improved its treatment of Garda whistleblowers
Former Garda Maurice McCabe says little has changed in how Ireland treats officers who expose wrongdoing.
McCabe was vindicated by a State tribunal after a smear campaign followed his disclosures about alleged malpractice in the Garda, Ireland’s police force.
He says the experience caused lasting harm and urges the Government to listen to and support current whistleblowers.
The latest controversy involves confidential disclosures about alleged Garda management wrongdoing and faulty gun holsters that could let weapons be taken or fired accidentally.
One serving officer was badly injured when his gun went off in Dublin in 2020, and Detective Garda Colm Horkan was later shot dead with his own weapon while wearing a defective holster.
The family of Horkan has called for a public inquiry, saying its letters to ministers were largely ignored.
Former justice minister Helen McEntee says she followed whistleblower law, but Superintendent Brian O’Reilly disputes her account of how his identity became known; McEntee is facing pressure to answer questions in parliament.
Former Garda Maurice McCabe says the State has not changed its treatment of Garda whistleblowers.
He urged the Government to listen to and support whistleblowers who have recently gone public.
McCabe said he was shocked by reports about the treatment of other Garda whistleblowers and that the experience of speaking out continues to affect him.
The article reports that a confidential disclosure by Superintendent Brian O’Reilly was sent to Garda headquarters with his name attached.
The article also revisits warnings about faulty gun holsters and two incidents in June 2020 involving Garda firearms.
- Who
- Former Garda Maurice McCabe says treatment of Garda whistleblowers has not improved.
- What
- McCabe criticised the State’s response to whistleblowers and urged the Government to support them.
- When
- He made the remarks in an interview published on October 24, 2026.
- Where
- Ireland.
- Why
- He was responding to reports about the treatment of recent Garda whistleblowers, including disclosures concerning alleged wrongdoing and faulty gun holsters.
Helen McEntee
Brian O’Reilly
Disclosure of O’Reilly’s whistleblower status
Helen McEntee
McEntee’s office said O’Reilly’s identity was exposed after he disclosed his own status to former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris.
Brian O’Reilly
O’Reilly disputes this account and said McEntee’s explanation is misleading.
A Garda whistleblower warned that holsters for Sig Sauer and Walther pistols could make the guns easier to take or cause them to discharge accidentally.
A Garda officer on duty outside the Israeli Embassy in Dublin suffered life-changing injuries when his firearm went off accidentally.
Detective Garda Colm Horkan was fatally shot with his own gun in Castlerea, County Roscommon.
- Former Garda
- Maurice McCabe
- Garda superintendent
- Brian O’Reilly
- Warning about holsters
- 2019
- Accidental firearm discharge
- June 11, 2020, outside the Israeli Embassy in Dublin
- Colm Horkan shooting
- June 17, 2020, Castlerea, County Roscommon
What people are saying
Sadly, things haven’t… changed.
Something has gone wrong, and I feel sorry for them because it’ll always affect them. It has always affected me, and it’s going to affect me until I die
explanation is misleading