Gardai & Tusla have no case to answer about whistleblower complaints, lawyers tell tribunal

 

Lawyers for Tusla and Garda officers have told the Charleton tribunal that their clients have no case to answer in relation to complaints by whistleblower Garda Keith Harrison.
The lawyers were making their submissions at the end of the current module which is looking at contacts between gardaí and the HSE/Tusla relating to Gda Harrison.
Paul Anthony McDermott SC, on behalf of Tusla, said that when Gda Harrison’s partner, Marisa Simms, came to give evidence to the tribunal under oath she did not stand over the central allegation in the letter, that Tusla social workers were investigating her family because of pressure being applied by gardai.
Mícheal P O’Higgins SC, on behalf of the Garda Commissioner, said that garda officers acted properly and that there was no “campaign” against Gda Harrison.
The barrister said that if there had been malicious intent, there would have been an enthusiasm to discipline Gda Harrison, but that many things were let pass.
Mark Harty SC, on behalf of Gda Harrison, said that the search for documents by gardai had been too limited in the search terms used, and asked the tribunal to conduct a “broader” search of all documents relating to Gda Harrison during the period August 2013 to March 2014.
The tribunal resumes on tomorrow, when it will hear from a witness relating to an earlier module concerning Sgt Maurice McCabe who was unable to give evidence earlier in the year.