Call for investigation into handling of garda disclosures

The Seanad has heard calls for a full, independent investigation around the handling of protected disclosures within An Garda Síochána.

RTÉ Investigates reported last week that two people who handled protected disclosures made by garda whistleblowers have themselves blown the whistle, alleging that reforms introduced to protect those who speak out have been undermined by senior management.

Speaking in the Seanad, Independent Senator Michael McDowell stated: "I predicted that garda management would attempt to cover up this major scandal only part of which is in the public domain."

Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has so far rejected calls for a public inquiry into the whistleblower allegations but Mr McDowell told the Seanad that the "issues need to be fully investigated so that public confidence in An Garda Síochána and its supervision at force and ministerial level can be examined independently".

Opposition politicians have called for both the former justice minister Helen McEntee and current Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to answer questions before the Dáil on the handling of allegations by garda whistleblowers.

However, Ms McEntee has indicated she has already said all she can on the controversy.

On Rose Sweeney and Dr Donal Corcoran, who featured in last week's broadcast, Mr McDowell said their efforts "to have the holster protected disclosure issue properly investigated using Lt Col Ray Lane, a highly respected army officer, were illegally countermanded by the then Commissioner as has now been admitted by the current Deputy Commissioner".

"Careers of honourable decent people serving Ireland have been blighted and destroyed. I am profoundly shocked by what I know," he concluded.

On Friday, RTÉ removed the programme from the RTÉ Player "following detailed correspondence from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions".