Courts / Donegal / Report

Chief Superintendent tells tribunal she wanted investigation to be "clear and transparent"

Date
2017-10-06
Stage
Charge Or Pretrial
Primary locality
Donegal
County
Donegal

Summary

At the Charleton Tribunal on 6 October 2017, Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn of Donegal Division gave evidence concerning the handling of allegations against whistleblower Garda Keith Harrison. Chief Supt McGinn stated her priority was ensuring gardaí acted in a clear and transparent manner, particularly given diminished public confidence in policing following the Morris tribunal. She recalled meeting Garda Harrison in Ballyshannon in autumn 2011 when he requested a transfer to Letterkenny. In October 2013, following reports from the partner of Garda Harrison regarding domestic abuse, Chief Supt McGinn appointed an inspector to investigate. A statement was taken from the woman on 6 October 2013. The chief superintendent subsequently sought an independent investigation by a superintendent from outside Donegal Division, rather than an internal inquiry. A referral was made to GSOC under Section 102 of the Garda Síochána Act, and Tusla was notified due to children's involvement. Following GSOC's closure of the file, Garda Harrison was confined to indoor duties pending investigation completion.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Chief Superintendent tells tribunal she wanted investigation to be "clear and transparent". Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

Why: As a result, a referral was made to GSOC, and because children were alleged to have witnessed an incident, Tusla was also notified. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed woman

Defendant

Places mentioned

Residence

Topics

Stage Charge Or Pretrial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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