Courts / Westmeath / Report

"Appalling" that interviews were held at accused garda's station, tribunal told

Date
2019-11-28

Stage
Charge Or Pretrial

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

The Disclosures Tribunal heard that interviews into Garda Nicholas Keogh's protected disclosure were held at Athlone Garda Station, where Keogh and the accused senior Garda, identified as Garda A, were both working. Judge Sean Ryan chaired the hearing. Keogh had made a protected disclosure on 8 May 2014, alleging that Garda A was in an improper relationship with an alleged heroin dealer, Ms B. The tribunal investigated whether Keogh was targeted, harassed, undermined or bullied after the disclosure. Sergeant Andrew Haran, who led the investigations team, described the decision to conduct the interviews at the station as "an appalling idea" and said it caused discomfort and risk to Keogh's mental and physical health. Haran noted that Keogh's alcohol problems were known but that Keogh was not drunk at work. The tribunal considered the impact of the interview location on Keogh's well‑being and the overall conduct of the investigation.