GSOC queried categorisation of complaint against Garda Whistleblower Keith Harrison

A senior gardaí decision to categorise a domestic disturbance complaint against a Donegal Garda whistleblower as an incident causing serious harm or death was later questioned by the Garda Ombudsman.
The October 2013 complaint by Marisa Simms against her partner Garda Keith Harrison included allegations that he had threatened to “burn her” and “bury her”.
Superintendent Eugene McGovern has told the Charleton Tribunal that he regarded the complaint as serious enough to warrant referral to GSOC under a provision relating to incidents where a garda has caused serious harm or death.
Superintendent McGovern was officer in charge in Milford when the complaint against Garda Keith Harrison was referred to GSOC.
On 6 October 2013 Ms Simms made a statement to Inspector Goretti Sheridan which included allegations that Garda Harrison had threatened to “burn her” and “bury her”.
Following the statement from Ms Simms, a garda conference attended by several senior officers in the Donegal division was held.
Superintendent McGovern said the only question at the meeting was whether the referral would be under Section 85 or Section 102. The latter type is made in cases were a Garda has been involved in an incident causing serious harm or death.
He said that as far as he was concerned serious harm had been caused to Ms Simms “from an emotional and psychological point of view” and the decision was made to make a section 102 referral to GSOC.
Superintendent McGovern testified that he was later contacted by Darren Wright, a Senior Investigating Officer with GSOC, who told him the complaint might not be a Section 102 referral.
Ms Simms later informed GSOC in writing that she did not wish to make a complaint, and later withdrew her statement to Gardai.
The Disclosures Tribunal is examining contacts between senior gardai and Tusla about Garda Harrison.