Courts / Westmeath / Report

"Whistleblower" tells tribunal that last days on duty were "unbearable"

Date
2019-11-12

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

Garda Nicholas Keogh, a whistleblower, testified at the Disclosures Tribunal that his final days on duty were "paranoid and unbearable" after he made a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014. He alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer, Ms B, who earned an estimated €2,500 a week. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is examining whether Keogh was targeted, harassed, undermined or bullied following his disclosure. Keogh also discussed his drinking problem, noting it had been an issue before the disclosure but had become problematic only once at work. He described feeling like a "sitting duck" for Garda management, being paranoid about documents and phone tapping, and said the last days of his service were difficult, with the 21 December 2015 being his final day on duty. Keogh refused to name his informant, citing concerns about safety.