Courts / Westmeath / Report

Whistleblower allegedly threatened to break senior garda's jaw

Date
2020-03-02

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Athlone

Summary

In March 2020 a Disclosures Tribunal heard that Garda whistleblower Nicholas Keogh, who made a protected disclosure in 2014, alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit had an improper relationship with an alleged heroin dealer. Keogh claimed he was bullied by Garda management after his disclosure. In 2017, Chief Superintendent John Scanlan of the Laois-Offaly District gave an interview praising Commissioner Noirín O'Sullivan. Keogh allegedly called 999 and threatened to "break Scanlan's jaw" after the interview. Scanlan said he was concerned but not angry, and that he had handled Keogh professionally. He also stated that he had received Keogh's complaint file in March 2017, had completed it by April, and had no role in its subsequent investigation, which began in November. The tribunal examined whether Keogh was targeted, harassed, undermined or bullied after his disclosure. The hearing was chaired by Judge Sean Ryan. The tribunal has not yet reached a conclusion.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Whistleblower allegedly threatened to break senior garda's jaw. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

8 May Other
March 2017 Other
5 April Other
27 March Other
12 April Other
2020-03-02 Publication

Why: In March 2017, Gda Keogh gave a statement of complaint to Chief Superintendent John Scanlan of the Laois-Offaly District, alleging he was being bullied by Garda management because he was a whistleblower. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ms B

Defendant

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Hearing Or Decision

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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