A serving Garda Superintendent has told the Disclosures Tribunal he regrets not responding to a letter sent by a social worker about the Ms D case six years after it was closed.

Superintendent Noel Cunningham did not accept that he ignored the letter because it could have been allowed to fester and cause hardship to Maurice McCabe.

Noel Cunningham was the Inspector in Monaghan in 2006 when the allegation was first made by Ms D that she had been sexually assaulted by Maurice McCabe.

He was asked by a superior to investigate the matter – after which Inspector Cunningham said he didn’t think any case arose for prosecution; the DPP later came to the same conclusion.

Superintendent Cunningham said he had no difficulty with Maurice McCabe, but that McCabe might have had a difficulty with him.

In August 2013, Supt Cunningham was sent a letter by social worker Keara McGlone asking for a call in relation to the allegation made by Ms D in 2006.

Supt Cunningham said he regretted not replying to the letter, but when it was put to him that the subsequent debacle could’ve been avoided if he had replied to the letter, Supt Cunningham said he didn’t accept that.

He also rejected the suggestion that he ignored the letter because the matter would have been allowed to fester and cause hardship to Maurice McCabe.