Garda inspector not 'out to get' whistleblower Keith Harrison, tribunal hears
A Garda Inspector has denied that she was ‘out to get’ whistleblower, Garda Keith Harrison when she interviewed his partner.
This section of the Tribunal is not focusing on Sgt Maurice McCabe but another garda whistleblower, Keith Harrison, and on contacts made between gardaí and the child and family agency Tusla in respect of him.
Inspector Goretti Sheridan told the Tribunal today she took a statement from Garda Harrison's partner in October 2013 at Letterkenny Garda Station.
The Inspector said his partner - Marissa Simms - highlighted behaviour regarding Garda Harrison which the Inspector believed was controlling.
She said she was concerned for Ms Simms’ two children.
The Tribunal heard the matter was referred to GSOC and no criminal investigation was ever launched.
Following lengthy cross-examination, Mr Justice Peter Charleton intervened and put it to Inspector Sheridan that it was being implied that she interviewed Garda Harrison’s partner as she and her colleagues were ‘out to get him’ and not because she was motivated by any desire to protect life.
The Inspector denied this and said she didn’t know Garda Keith Harrison at the time.
Inspector Sheridan spent over nine hours giving evidence at the Disclosures Tribunal.
