Courts / Westmeath / Report

"Whistleblower" denies "pincer movement" to bring down senior garda

Date
2019-11-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

In November 2019, Garda Nicholas Keogh appeared before the Disclosures Tribunal to deny allegations that he had orchestrated a "pincer movement" to undermine the career of Superintendent Patrick Murray. Keogh, who had made a protected disclosure in May 2014 about alleged improper conduct by a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, claimed he had simply informed Members of Parliament about the matter. He said he had passed information on a suspected car‑tax issue to TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace, but denied any intent to target Murray. The tribunal heard that Keogh had lodged a formal bullying complaint against Murray in March 2017 and that he had written to the Policing Authority and to Minister Frances Fitzgerald in 2017, urging that the investigation be concluded before any promotion. Senior Counsel for An Garda Síochána, Shane Murphy, accused Keogh of "orchestrating a pincer movement" and of targeting Murray without basis.