Courts / Westmeath / Report
Garda "whistleblower" went AWOL during four-day drinking binge, tribunal hears
Summary
Garda Nicholas Keogh admitted to being absent without leave (AWOL) from duty during a four‑day drinking binge from 11 to 14 July 2015, a period he had claimed as sick leave. He reported himself fit for duty on 10 July but then continued drinking and failed to report for work. Keogh's diary entries for 11 and 12 July noted "awol drink." Superintendent Patrick Murray, after reviewing Keogh's statements, recommended the matter be treated as a less serious breach of discipline. Keogh was fined €300 for neglect of duty, a fine upheld by Chief Superintendent Lorraine Wheatley. He denied a discreditable conduct charge and argued that his absence was a mistake. The tribunal also heard of other administrative matters, including a car‑tax notice and travel‑substance payments, but these were not central to the disciplinary decision. Keogh will continue to give evidence in the proceeding.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda "whistleblower" went AWOL during four-day drinking binge, tribunal hears. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 11 Other
- July 9 Other
- July 10 Other
- July 16 Other
- July 12 Other
- 10 July Incident
- July 15 Other
- April 3, 2015 Other
- 2019-10-16 Publication
Why: However, Gda Keogh told Judge Ryan this morning that he had to re-submit some travel forms that "went missing" and had to label them "re-submissions" because he was concerned with being accused of fraud. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Outcome: Admitted to a drink problem and has stopped going to AA." Gda Keogh was fined €300 by Superintendent Alan Murray for neglect of duty and was found not to be in breach of a discreditable conduct charge, which Gda Keogh had denied.
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