Garda disputes scrutiny allegations at Disclosures Tribunal

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

Garda Nicholas Keogh alleged at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle that Superintendent Patrick Murray had irrationally scrutinised and minutely criticised his police work. Murray disputed the accusations. The proceedings were reported on 16 October 2019.

In a statement to the tribunal, Murray said his queries were not directed at Keogh personally but were intended to ensure an investigation was carried out to a high standard. Keogh claimed he was targeted and discredited after making a protected disclosure in May 2014 alleging wrongdoing within An Garda Síochána.

Keogh described a 2015 robbery complaint he had entered on the Garda Pulse system. The tribunal heard that Murray later reclassified it as Attention and Complaints. Murray had raised concerns about a “scant report” in a paper note; Keogh said fuller details were on Pulse and the note was a handover request. The tribunal was told the injured party had withdrawn the complaint.

Keogh accused Murray of massaging crime figures downwards. Asked by Judge Sean Ryan whether he was suggesting the reclassification was corrupt, Keogh said he did not think it was. He regarded the downgrading as bullying and harassment.

The tribunal also examined disciplinary action over Keogh’s sick leave in July 2015. Keogh described a mix-up and said he had been sick. Murray said Keogh had acknowledged reporting fit for duty while drunk, forgetting he had done so and continuing to drink. Keogh pleaded guilty to neglect of duty. He was found in breach of that charge and fined €300; he was found not in breach of discreditable conduct.

The tribunal was considering whether the disciplinary action was warranted or justifiable. Keogh was due to continue his evidence the following morning.