Courts / Donegal / Report

Tribunal completes hearings in relation to garda whistleblower

Date
2017-10-10
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Letterkenny
County
Donegal

Summary

The Charleton tribunal has completed hearings examining circumstances surrounding garda whistleblower Keith Harrison and has invited legal submissions on the evidence heard during the current module. Justice Peter Charleton outlined topics he expects counsel to address in their written submissions. Over the preceding month, the tribunal examined evidence of contacts between gardaí and the HSE and Tusla relating to Garda Harrison. Sergeant Paul Wallace testified that he conducted a security assessment at Garda Harrison's home in October 2013 following reported threats. The sergeant said Garda Harrison indicated his partner had sought a safety order against him and made a statement to gardaí. Detective Inspector Patrick O'Donnell outlined information received regarding threats, whilst Superintendent Mary Murray confirmed she was appointed to conduct disciplinary and criminal inquiries in February 2014. Supt Murray stated she learned in May 2014 through media reports that Garda Harrison had made a protected disclosure to the garda confidential recipient and subsequently suspended her investigations. The tribunal continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Tribunal completes hearings in relation to garda whistleblower. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: The sergeant said that Garda Harrison felt the reason for Ms Simms' complaint was a misunderstanding over a comment he made to her in the course of a verbal disagreement when he stated "You will get burnt there", using it as a figure of speech which Ms Simms took up the wrong way. CNI source report

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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