Garda A taken off suspension in collusion investigation but remained suspended over other matters

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Garda A was taken off suspension on 30 April 2019 after an investigation into alleged collusion with a heroin dealer, but remained suspended in relation to other matters, the Disclosures Tribunal heard. The proceedings were reported on 21 February 2020.

Garda Nicholas Keogh alleged that Garda A, a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, was in an improper relationship with the dealer, identified as Ms B. The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, was investigating whether Garda Keogh was targeted, harassed, undermined or bullied after his protected disclosure on 8 May 2014.

The tribunal heard allegations that Garda A frustrated or attempted to frustrate an investigation into a public order disturbance involving Ms B on 14 September 2008, and that he tipped off Ms B and her boyfriend and told them to dispose of their phones on 23 June 2009. More than 1,500 contacts between Garda A and Ms B by text and phone were recorded between May and August 2010. Garda A said he was trying to cultivate Ms B as a “tout”.

Chief Superintendent Margaret Nugent said there was cause for concern about the excess contact, but no evidence definitively established that Garda A contacted Ms B on 23 June 2009. In a report submitted on 30 April 2019, she recommended that there was insufficient corroborative evidence to warrant a board of inquiry on the allegations and recommended two warnings on other minor matters. A parallel criminal investigation did not meet the threshold for prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions.