Vigils will be held at Garda Stations around the Republic today in support of Sergeant Maurice McCabe and other Garda whistleblowers.
The 6pm events have been organised by people powered campaigning organisation Uplift, to show public support and solidarity with Mr McCabe and all gardai who need protection for speaking out against wrongdoing.
A total of 15 vigils have been organised at various locations, including Castlebar, Cork, Dublin Galway, Kilkenny, Monaghan, Tallaght and Limerick.
Siobhan O'Donoghue, from Uplift, said: "The grassroots nature of this - the way people from all of walks of life are taking action across the country - shows just how deeply shocked the nation has been by the scandal of how Maurice McCabe was treated.
"Uplift members have been calling for the Garda Commissioner to stand aside as the smear campaign against Maurice McCabe is investigated. We deserve a police force we can trust - and we deserve answers and accountability - sooner rather than later".
Having come forward as a whistleblower on corruption within the Gardai, Mr McCabe later raised concerns about how the issue had been handled, citing grave concerns about senior officials.
A public inquiry into allegations of a smear campaign against Mr McCabe was launched this week after it emerged the whistleblower was incorrectly accused
of child sex abuse through a "clerical error."
