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State allowed 'Gangland Ireland to get out of control', tribunal told
Summary
During a Disclosures Tribunal hearing on 15 February 2022, solicitor John Hennessy criticised a disciplinary inquiry against retired Garda Sergeant John Hughes, whom he said was victimised for raising concerns about systems failures before the murder of Baiba Saulite. Hennessy described the inquiry as "ridiculous" and a "trumped‑up internal quasi‑manslaughter charge," arguing it was a knee‑jerk reaction to media pressure and a distortion of the facts. He noted that Hughes had been disciplined over a draft Victim Impact Statement that Hennessy had given to the Garda shortly before Saulite's death. Hennessy also criticised a 2008 Star newspaper article that he said unfairly linked Hughes' actions to Saulite's murder. The tribunal heard that Hughes had previously worked with Hennessy on the abduction case that returned Saulite's children to her. The Garda Síochána denied all allegations against Hughes. The tribunal was scheduled to continue the following day.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: State allowed 'Gangland Ireland to get out of control', tribunal told. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- November 2006 Other
- 2022-02-15 Publication
Why: 'I was annoyed at the apparent panic within garda ranks about the draft Victim Impact Statement, because it seemed to target, or shine a light on Sgt Hughes in the days before the murder, which frankly was nonsense…and a gross distortion of what really happened,' Mr Hennessy told the tribunal. CNI source report
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