Courts / Ireland / Report
Tribunal module set up on basis of "untrue" allegation, lawyers submit
2017-10-23
Hearing Or Decision
Summary
In the final session of the Charleton tribunal, lawyers for Tusla and Garda officers argued that the case against whistle‑blower Garda Keith Harrison was founded on an untrue allegation. Paul Anthony McDermott SC, representing Tusla, claimed a February 2017 letter to Minister Katherine Zappone was intended to attack his clients' credibility, and that the central allegation that Tusla social workers were investigating Harrison's family under Garda pressure was unsupported. Mícheal P O'Higgins SC, for the Garda Commissioner, maintained that officers acted properly and there was no campaign against Harrison, noting that any domestic troubles were Harrison's own. Desmond Dockery SC praised the fairness of the Garda interview with Ms. Simms, while Mark Harty SC, on Harrison's behalf, requested a broader search of documents and questioned why alleged threats were not investigated sooner. The tribunal had examined 2,837 documents and concluded the evidence had been fully presented.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Tribunal module set up on basis of "untrue" allegation, lawyers submit. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- February 2017 Incident
- August 2013 Other
- March 2014 Other
- October 2013 Other
- January 2014 Other
- 2017-10-23 Publication
Why: Mr McDermott said that when Gda Harrison's partner, Marisa Simms, came to give evidence to the tribunal under oath she did not stand over the central allegation in the letter, that Tusla social workers were investigating her family because of pressure being applied by gardai. CNI source report
Topics
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