Courts / Westmeath / Report

Senior garda tried to address whistleblower's "tragic alcohol sickness", barrister says

Date
2019-10-23

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claims a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, referred to as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. Keogh alleges that after making a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, he was targeted, harassed, or bullied by Garda management. He reports that he had periods of absenteeism in July 2015 due to drinking and stress, and that his superintendent, Patrick Murray, addressed his absences and alcohol issues. Keogh says he was marked as having flu when he was actually suffering from work‑related stress and alcohol abuse, and that the Chief Medical Officer was kept in the dark about his stress. He also claims that his medical certificates were withheld and that he was told he was "under no stress" despite his own statements to the contrary.