New statements requested from senior Gardai as tribunal continues

 

New statements have been requested from four senior gardai about a meeting which led to referrals about garda whistleblower Garda Keith Harrison.
Supreme Court Justice, Peter Charleton has requested statements from retired Northern region Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kenny, Chief Superintendent Tony McLoughlin, Chief Superintendent Terry McGinn and Superintendent Eugene McGovern be made by 10 o’clock this morning.
The tribunal is examining contacts between An Garda Síochána and Tusla relating to Garda Harrison.
The Chairman of the Charleton Tribunal has requested new statements from four senior gardai after the tribunal learnt for the first time that there was reference to two other senior members of the force in relation to the garda confernce on 8th October 2013 in Letterkenny which led to referrals about Garda Keith Harrison to Tusla and GSOC.
The Chairman said the tribunal was only now learning that there was a reference to retired Northern region Assistant Commissioner Kieran Kennybeing consulted.
Notes from the meeting also referred to Chief Superintendent McLoughlin in the B Branch (Internal Affairs) in Garda HQ.
The Chairman said the meeting was “an important pivot”, as it led to a referral to Tusla.
Garda Harrison’s barrister Mark Harty said the notes were critical to him as they made reference to the retired assistant commissioner for the Northern Region, and his client had earlier this week been asked when giving evidence if he has any evidence of a conspiracy against him outside the Donegal division.