A Force for Justice: The Maurice McCabe Story

by Michael Clifford

The full story of the single greatest scandal in Irish policing history - from the journalist who brought it into the national arena.

When, in 2008, Sergeant Maurice McCabe complained of shoddy investigations into serious crime in County Cavan, nothing could have prepared him for what was in store.
A career garda, McCabe never set out to be a whistleblower. However, over the following eight years, he exposed gross incompetence and corruption within An Garda Siochána. It ranged from a violent criminal being free to murder, to country-wide corruption in the policing of road safety.
Along the way he paid a terrible price, enduring vilification, bullying and harassment by forces who wanted to silence him and his inconvenient truths. Worse still were the rumours of an extreme nature, which had a devastating effect on his whole family.
McCabe's actions ultimately led to some of the biggest reforms of An Garda Siochána since the foundation of the state, caused major political upheaval, and culminated in a Tribunal established in 2017, to examine whether there had been a smear campaign against him within the force.
A Force For Justice reveals the story behind the scenes, of one man struggling to survive in the most challenging of circumstances. It is a dramatic account of a garda sergeant's journey from a rural outpost into the heart of the Irish political and legal system.

Genres: Irish Literature

368 pages, Paperback

Published November 14, 2017

Reviews

[Nick Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting insight, and a very thorough telling of the story of a Garda Síochána sergeant in Ireland who met with institutional resistance, denial and hostility having raised concerns about corruption and a lack of competence in the force. His whistleblowing led to years of ostracism and stress for himself and his family, and eventually admissions, positive changes and reforms within the force (which was all he was after). It's an intriguing read, shocking in a way, but also far from shocking if my experiences of similar failings and senior management flaws within the public and private sector are anything to go by.

The story is well told by journalist author Michael Clifford, but I did find the second half (a lot of which dealt with layers upon layers of bureaucratic flannel, and political petty point scoring) less easy to follow than the first - partly because of my lack of understanding of Taoiseach, The Oireachtas, Dáil Éireann and Seanad Éireann etc. - the book felt written for an Irish audience more familiar with how the government and law enforcement operate over there.

[Adrian Fingleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book simply because I wanted to understand from beginning to end the whole story that Maurice McCabe unearthed and how one tribunal led to another commission, and then on to another inquiry etc. I did find it informative, I did begin to see the chronology of the events as they unfolded, but I felt that better editing could have helped to put everything in context. Maybe even a chart or two that showed the hierarchy of the Gardai, the commissions/inquiries (in graphic form, rather than the list at the end of the book) could have helped. But at least I think I now know the story from start to finish (or, is it actually finished)?

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Felt the book was badly edited and left out significant details about Mc Cabe's story.
Maurice Mc Cabe is an incredible individual and we're lucky to have him in Ireland.

[Anthony Flynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

He is a most extraordinary man. Took on the whole establishment with extraordinary courage.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

account of garda Maurice McCabe and his decades long struggle to highlight and address perceived failures, laziness, corruption in gardai
after years of working through internal channels without real progress he goes public, working with TDs and public committees

horrendous to realise the degree to which those in command sought to ignore, belittle and scapegoat him

how the force and hierarchy closed ranks and tried to sweep issues under the carpet and attack him and his reputation

realise it is just one side of the story, but seems to have been so comprehensive and endemic

[Olivia O'Leary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provided a comprehensive overview of the complicated whistblower story. I thought the last quarter was written in a very confusing way and was hard to follow. The book had some glaring editing errors though, which was a bit irritating. However, overall it was a compelling and page turning non-fictiok book.

[Paul Condon · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idiom “like a dog with a bone” should be replaced with the term “like Maurice McCabe with a complaint”.

I’ve never in my life read about someone more tenacious and dogged in their quest for righteousness and justice.
At various points throughout this complex and tangled affair, I found myself thinking yeah, I’d probably just tap out here, put my head down and get on with the job.
I’m sure the vast majority of the upper echelons of An Garda Siochana thought the same on multiple occasions…. This time he’ll be satisfied.
What a mistake that was. They truly had no idea who they were dealing with.

It’s an inspiring story on one hand but on the other, a sad one. The man (and his family) went through some hellish torment and the worst kinds of sustained personal attacks.

I don’t think many of us would have the same bravery, put in a similar situation.

[Daniel McConnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A smash hit

Mick Clifford has literally written the book on a true modern scandal.
The maltreatment of Maurice McCabe by the force he swore allegiance to was outrageous.
Clifford has led the way on this story and this book is a testament to his efforts.
Kudos

[paulkerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful Read

What this man went through
Everyone should read this book. The extent of corruption and cover up will send shivers down your spine.

[Patrick Leech · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating to revisit this case after time has passed.....what the Gardaí did to this man was appalling....couldn't put it down

[Sorcha Ní · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight into the story of a very brave man