Nicholas Keogh gives evidence on alleged Garda collusion

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

Garda Nicholas Keogh gave evidence about alleged Garda collusion with drug dealers at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle on 14 October 2019.

The allegations concerned Athlone. Keogh alleged that a woman identified as Ms B was a heroin dealer and that Garda A was in an improper relationship with her. Tribunal counsel questioned him about a Pulse entry he made on 18 May 2014.

The tribunal was examining whether questioning by Keogh’s superiors about his use of Pulse and handling of a source amounted to targeting or discrediting him. Garda Assistant Commissioner Michael Finn investigated the bullying allegation concerning the Pulse entry and found the requests reasonable. Keogh said he did not accept Finn’s investigation.

Keogh also alleged that some witnesses received preferential treatment in Athlone drug cases. He said he had told his confidential recipient about conspiracy to supply heroin in Athlone; the information was partly based on information from someone then inside the drug industry.

The tribunal heard that the DPP had investigated Keogh’s claims and concluded that they fell short of the standard for prosecution because of their circumstantial nature.