Courts / Waterford / Report
Dept of Agriculture decided to transfer whistleblower who made disclosure over alleged political interference, lawyer argues
Summary
The Department of Agriculture is accused of transferring whistleblower Louis Reardon out of the investigations unit following his protected disclosure about political interference in criminal investigations, according to a lawyer at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). Reardon made the disclosure on August 2, 2017, alleging interference by former officials and politicians. The following day, a senior civil servant suggested Reardon be moved to the wildlife section, which he rejected. The department claims the transfer in 2020 was unrelated to the disclosure and part of a review initiated in 2017. Reardon argues the move was retaliation and has requested to be transferred back to the investigations unit. The department denies any breach of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 and states there was no penalty to Reardon. Evidence presented suggests the review began before the disclosure, and the department claims the transfer was due to internal management issues and the need for staff mobility.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Dept of Agriculture decided to transfer whistleblower who made disclosure over alleged political interference, lawyer argues. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision
When:
- August 2, 2017 Other
- June 2017 Other
- September 2018 Other
- March 2020 Other
- August 3, 2017 Other
- March 2022 Other
- 2023-08-01 Publication
Why: Mr Reardon, who has more than 20 years' experience in the investigations unit, has complained that he was transferred out of a "prestigious job" because of the protected disclosure accusing senior officials and politicians of interfering to block investigations. CNI source report
Places mentioned
- Waterford
- Waterford Courthouse
Topics
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