Courts / Westmeath / Report

"Whistleblower" has "fixation of blame" on senior officer, garda lawyers say

Date
2019-10-25
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Athlone
County
Westmeath

Summary

In a Disclosures Tribunal hearing, Garda Nicholas Keogh claims he was denied commendations by Garda management after making a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014. He alleges that a senior officer, identified as Garda A, had an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned about €2,500 a week. Keogh says he was the investigating officer in the 2015 stabbing of a 77‑year‑old taxi‑driver and the rescue of a woman from the River Shannon, yet was removed from the Pulse unit and excluded from commendations. He disputes the claim that he had no material role in the investigation, citing his involvement in evidence collection. Keogh also notes he received an award from Irish Water Safety in 2016 but no Garda commendation, and he has pursued a personal injury claim for bullying. The tribunal is examining whether Keogh was targeted after his disclosure. Ms B pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Whistleblower" has "fixation of blame" on senior officer, garda lawyers say. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: Credit: Collins) By Paul Neilan A Garda has said that he and other officers were denied commendations for police work by Garda management because he became a whistleblower, a tribunal has heard. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ms B

Defendant

Plea: Guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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