“Powerful and necessary viewing.”
On Monday night, the first part of RTÉ documentary Whistleblower: The Maurice McCabe Story aired, and it provoked a huge and immediate reaction.
The documentary marked the first time that Maurice and Lorraine McCabe told their compelling and deepingly affecting story.
In 2014, Sgt Maurice McCabe was requested to appear in front of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in order to give evidence about the large scale cancellation of penalty points accrued by senior Gardaí.
Former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan failed to block this appearance through the normal channels, and instead launched what was described as a “campaign of calumny” and “a frontal attack” on McCabe and his family.
As part of this smear campaign, Callinan made false accusations that Maurice McCabe had sexually assaulted children, including members of his own family.
As noted, part one of the documentary resulted in a highly charged reaction from the public, and it was no different for the concluding episode that aired on Tuesday.
Programmes like #Whistleblower are why we have a tv license fee. Congrats to @KatieGHannon and the RTE team for great public interest broadcasting.
— Matt Cooper (@cooper_m) November 13, 2018
Going to dispense with the usual veil of ‘that other channel doesn’t exist’ to offer a *huge* bualadh bos to @KatieGHannon and all involved in making #Whistleblower – the true value of public service broadcasting: an amazing story, shot and told wonderfully. A totemic work. 👏🏻
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) November 13, 2018
Imagine using your power and privilege to accuse a man of sexually abusing kids because he wanted to improve standards in the state apparatus you preside over. Sick to the core. Nothing but respect to Maurice McCabe. A true hero. Lesser giants would've cracked. #Whistleblower
— Eoghan McDermott (@eoghanmcdermo) November 13, 2018
The best screenwriters couldn't come up with a story as incredible, sinister and shocking as #whistleblower It's remarkable how the McCabes still have their sanity and strength. The corruption and ineptitude exposed is unbelievable.
— Joe Donnelly (@kildarejoe) November 13, 2018
Maurice McCabe is an absolute hero, and Ireland is very lucky to have had a public servant of his calibre. It's nothing short of a tragedy and a disgrace that instead of elevating him, so many members of the Garda Siochana set out to destroy him. #Whistleblower
— Donal O’Keeffe (@Donal_OKeeffe) November 13, 2018
In tears at the end of #Whistleblower
Maurice & Lorraine McCabe are incredibly strong and resilient people.
Character like that cannot be silenced.
Bravo @KatieGHannon and the team behind the programme.
Powerful & necessary viewing.#MauriceMcCabe— Síle Seoige (@SileSeoige) November 13, 2018
There is deep rooted toxic masculinity/mob mentality in this country that we just can’t seem to let go of. Ireland is so juvenile sometimes. #Whistleblower
— Jenn Gannon (@thejenngannon) November 13, 2018
RTE's #Whistleblower doc should be shown to every Leaving Cert class in the country. One brave family, committed to truth and to high standards, can change a culture. It is a beautiful thing.
— Colm Tobin (@colmtobin) November 13, 2018
If you missed the airing of Whistleblower, it is now available to watch in full online on RTÉ Player on the links below.
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