Mccabe to assist penalty points audit team

Paul Neilan

Fresh allegations by Cavanman Sgt Maurice McCabe over the penalty points scandal will see him consult with authorities over his claim that the abuse is still rife.
The Mountnugent sergeant says that the practice of cancelling the fixed charge penalty system [FCPS] is still prevalent in the force despite he and former Garda John Wilson exposing the scandal last year and submitted an official report to superiors.
It was announced today that McCabe will act as an assistant and is not to be officially seconded to the audit of the system, which is being carried out by the Garda Professional Standards Unit.
It is understood Sgt McCabe will take the team through his latest allegations and could assist for up to a week.
The whistleblower met with senior gardaí, including assistant commissioner John Twomey, on Monday about the new allegations. Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald pledged to publish the report into the matter.

‘Action will be taken’
“These allegations are currently being examined by senior management,” a Garda spokesperson told The Anglo-Celt. “If any infringement of these policies and procedures is found to have taken place then action will be taken.
“In addition, and in order to secure maximum openness and transparency, allegations were recently forwarded by Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan to the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Commissioner requested the Minister to consider referring them to the Garda Ombudsman Commission for an investigation in the public interest, using the powers available in that regard to the Minister.
“The Minister agreed to the request and referred the allegations to the Garda Ombudsman Commission, who will now independently examine them...
“In recent weeks Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan ordered that an audit of the operation of the FCPS take place. This audit is currently being conducted by the Professional Standards Unit and Internal Audit.
“An Garda Síochána is fully committed to improving the effectiveness and transparency of the penalty point system.
As with all the stakeholders involved in the on-going development of the Fixed Charge Penalty System, An Garda Síochána’s primary focus is in ensuring that the system continues its success in improving road safety and reducing road deaths.”
Public Accounts Committee chairman John McGuinness said he would be raising the matter in the Dáil today (Wednesday, September 17).
“Given everything we were supposed to have learned, it is absolutely shocking to think that these practices appear to continue,” said the Fianna Fáil deputy.
“I am deeply concerned that Maurice will be targeted again. We need a guarantee that he will not be punished again in any way for trying to do his job and helping to improve our police force,” he said.
McCabe and his family complained in the Guerin report into alleged mishandling of cases in Bailieborough district of harassment and threats due to his whistleblowing.
While he has complained of harassment it is understood he has the support of some gardaí.
The Mullingar-based garda has consistently refused to comment on the matter, citing that he is prevented from doing so while he is serving on the force.
The latest penalty cancellations involved reasons including driving emergency vehicles, and inability to find postal addresses.