Courts / Westmeath / Report

Judge "shocked" to hear name read out in Dail as confidential recipient

Date
2020-02-10
Stage
Hearing Or Decision
Primary locality
Kinnegad
County
Westmeath

Summary

In a hearing before the Disclosures Tribunal, retired District Court Judge Patrick McMahon, who served as the Confidential Recipient for Garda whistleblower Nicholas Keogh, recounted being surprised to learn that Keogh's name and the details of his protected disclosure were read aloud in the Dáil on the same day he received the information. McMahon explained that he had met Keogh on 8 May 2014 in a car in Kinnegad, where Keogh provided an affidavit dated 7 May 2014 and later a DVD containing an interview with an unnamed individual. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, is examining whether Keogh was targeted or harassed after his disclosure. McMahon noted that the announcement in the Dáil caused him distress, as he had arranged a confidential meeting with Keogh. The tribunal is also reviewing the appointment of Assistant Commissioner Dónall Ó Cualáin to investigate the matter, a decision that Keogh expressed anxiety about.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge "shocked" to hear name read out in Dail as confidential recipient. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

Why: Judge McMahon told the tribunal that, following a phone introduction, he met Gda Keogh on May 8, 2014, in his car in Kinnegad because Gda Keogh wanted to remain confidential and to avoid both Dublin and Athlone. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ms B

Defendant

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Retired District Court
Secondary Mention
Journey Or Route

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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