19/09/2013 09:43:47

Independent TD Mattie McGrath has described the treatment of top investigative reporter Gemma O’Doherty as profoundly disturbing and akin to the behaviour found in totalitarian States. Deputy McGrath was speaking in support of Ms O’Doherty who was recently made compulsorily redundant from her job in the in The Irish Independent for what many have seen as her daring to question the Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan over the dismissal of a speeding fine. Ms O’Doherty is a multi-award winning journalist of the highest integrity and her investigative reporting has served to embarrass State authorities on more than one occasion:

“This is a very sinister development and one that should cause us all to worry. It seems patently obvious the reason given for her unceremonious dismissal after years of impeccable service to the paper and journalism had nothing to do with the stated motive for her sacking. I have regularly praised her work particularly in relation to the uncovering of the shocking events surrounding the murder of Fr Niall Molloy. It is most certainly the case now that the treatment Ms O’Doherty has received seems in some way to be nothing more than opportunity to silence her and close down any further revelations she might have uncovered. I find it particularly shocking that this case has received little or no notice in the national press and that in itself only makes this whole episode more disconcerting. I am not surprised to hear that many families of missing people in Ireland have orchestrated support protests on her behalf in recognition of her vital work investigating some of those cases. I would call on Mr Stephen Rae the new editor-in chief at Independent News and Media to immediately clarify the precise reasons why he felt compelled to humiliate and fire this esteemed journalist. It is crucial that the perception that is now there of collusion between figures in the media and the Gardaí is put to rest,” concluded Deputy McGrath.
ENDS

19/09/2013 09:43:47