A Donegal TD who raised concerns in the Dail about allegations by a garda from the county has welcomed the results of an inquiry which found the garda’s claims were ‘without any validity.’
Sinn Fein Deputy Pearse Doherty says the report of the inquiry had vindicated the gardai and social services in County Donegal.
Garda whistleblower Keith Harrison and his partner Marisa Simms accused senior gardai in Donegal of interfering in their home and family life by involving social services because of malice against him.
However, the chairman of the Disclosures Tribunal, which examined the claims, found the claims were ‘entirely without any validity.’
Mr Justice Peter Charleton said the gardai and the child and family agency Tusla had done nothing wrong and praised their conduct.
An Garda Siochana has welcome the findings.
They point out that Mr Justice Charleton had found that individual gardai and the organisation as a whole acted correctly.
The judge also found that allegations were ‘treated seriously, properly reported up the line and diligently pursued.’
He found ‘those serving in the gardai in Donegal demonstrated seriousness and genuine concern’ in relation to domestic violence allegations.
In addition, he found there was ‘no break down in the garda command structure.’
Meanwhile, Deputy Doherty says the inquiry has yet to look into the issues he raised, which related to alleged incidents and behaviour in the midlands.
Judge Charleton said the findings in relation to Garda Keith Harrison have no impact on the inquiry into the treatment of Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
