Calls for independent body to oversee whistleblower complaints and 'restore faith in gardaí’

The Government is open to setting up an independent, external body tasked with overseeing Garda whistleblower complaints due to growing concerns as to how allegations are being treated with the force.

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald said she will consider establishing the powerful group after it was suggested by Garda Commissioner Nóirín O’Sullivan.

Speaking at an Oireachtas justice committee hearing into controversial claims that Garda management had orchestrated a campaign against whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe and others, Ms O’Sullivan again insisted she is “not privy to, nor would I approve, nor would I condone” any such actions.

The commissioner rejected claims gardaí are keeping surveillance files on whistleblowers and stressed all complaints are treated with the utmost seriousness within the force.

However, she said a new external group tasked with examining whistleblower complaints may need to be set up to restore faith in the gardaí.

“Perhaps it is time for a consideration to be given to some kind of independent entity where all of these issues go to so that people can have some reassurance that there is somebody independently looking at all of these matters and that we make sure the internal structures are there to strengthen and support individual needs,” Ms O’Sullivan told the committee.

The proposal was supported by the justice minister, who told reporters at the launch of sexual abuse survivors group One in Four’s annual report that she would consider the move if it is recommended by retired High Court judge Iarfhlaith O’Neill in five weeks’ time.

Mr O’Neill is examining serious, but as yet unproven, allegations made by former Garda press officer David Taylor that there was a campaign to vilify Sgt McCabe, known as Operation Oisin, which was orchestrated by senior officers.

“If another independent body is necessary in order to do that I would certainly consider it. If it requires another independent layer it’s certainly something I’d consider,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

Government sources stressed no action will be taken until Mr O’Neill completes his work and that the remarks should not influence his conclusions.

Garda sources have confirmed the new group being proposed by Ms O’Sullivan would be separate to the existing Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, which has the power to investigate whistleblower claims, and would not be linked to either the internal protected disclosure procedures or the Policing Authority.

However, it remains unclear how exactly such a body would operate, what level of powers it would be given, and how many staff it would require to function.

The suggestion of a new whistleblower group came as Ms O’Sullivan denied any knowledge of a campaign against gardaí who speak out, telling Independents 4Change TDs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace that she is “not in the business of messing with anybody’s lives or families”.

Meanwhile, the Irish Examiner understands that GSOC is still waiting to receive documents first requested from the gardaí over two years ago in relation to a complaint made by Garda Keith Harrison.

Ms O’Sullivan told TDs the force co-operates fully with GSOC and has a record of supplying documents on time in 94% of cases.