Courts / Donegal / Report

Partner tells tribunal that garda did not want whistleblower fame

Date
2017-10-02

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Buncrana

County
Donegal

Summary

The Charleton tribunal, chaired by Mr Justice Peter Charlton, continued its trial examining allegations that Garda Keith Harrison was targeted for making a protected disclosure. Ms Marisa Simms, Harrison's partner, testified that she was followed by Garda vehicles and received death threats, denying suggestions that Harrison sought whistleblower fame. She stated that a complaint forwarded to the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) in October 2013 was not made under pressure. Harrison alleged the GSOC referral was motivated by malice stemming from his previous posting in Athlone and his relationship with Simms, whose brother was charged with the manslaughter of Garda Gary McLoughlin. Social worker Una Coll testified that she contacted Sergeant Brigid McGowan in 2012 regarding an anonymous letter and later learned a referral had been sent for the Simms children. Coll stated that social services consult with Gardaí but do not accept direction from them. Principal social worker Gerry Hone confirmed receiving a notification about the children in October 2013, noting that a box indicating emotional abuse was ticked but further information was required before action could be taken. Hone stated it would be highly inappropriate for an outside agency to direct social work investigations. The tribunal is currently examining contacts between Gardaí and the HSE/Tusla, with details of the protected disclosure yet to be heard.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Partner tells tribunal that garda did not want whistleblower fame. Procedural stage: trial

When:

May 2014 Incident
October 2013 Other
October 8, 2013 Other
October 6 Other
October 10, 2013 Other
October 16 Other
February 2014 Other
2017-10-02 Publication

Why: He said this stemmed from activities while he was stationed previously in Athlone, and because he was in a relationship with Marisa Simms, whose brother was charged with the manslaughter of Buncrana garda, Gary McLoughlin, following a car collision. CNI source report