Courts / Westmeath / Report

"Whistleblower" withdraws Nóirín O'Sullivan allegation

Date
2019-10-17

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

A Garda whistleblower, Garda Nicholas Keogh, withdrew an allegation that former Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan had called Superintendent Pat Murray to advise him to alienate Keogh. Keogh had claimed that after a 2014 protected disclosure, he was told by guards at Athlone station to "pull away from" him. He said he had no direct evidence of the call, only that guards relayed the information. Commissioner O'Sullivan denied the allegation, stating it was "completely untrue and without foundation" and that the call never occurred. Superintendent Murray also denied ever speaking with O'Sullivan and said he would not have suggested alienating Keogh. In May, Keogh mentioned Sergeant Andrew Haran as a possible informant, but Haran rejected the claim. Matthias Kelly SC represented Keogh and informed Judge Ryan that the matter was no longer being pursued. The Disclosures Tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, heard these statements during its investigation of Keogh's treatment after his disclosure.