Nicholas Keogh says commendation withheld after whistleblowing

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

Garda Nicholas Keogh told the Disclosures Tribunal he believed he was denied a commendation for helping to rescue a woman because he was a whistleblower. The proceedings were reported on 18 October 2019.

The tribunal, chaired by Judge Sean Ryan, was examining how Keogh was treated after he made a protected disclosure in 2014. Keogh alleged that a senior member of the Athlone drugs unit, identified as Garda A, was in an improper relationship with a heroin dealer identified as Ms B.

The report said Keogh pulled the woman from the River Shannon in Athlone on 22 September. Another garda held him from behind to stop him being pulled under. Keogh said he received an Irish Water Safety award but no Garda management commendation, and described the rescue as a team effort.

Sergeant Monaghan rejected Keogh’s assertion that he was denied a commendation and that he had single-handedly pulled the woman from the water, saying it was a group effort. The report said Keogh would continue his evidence on Monday.