Statements ‘not an exact science’

A Garda sergeant at the Charleton Tribunal has said that taking a victim statement was “not an exact science”, when asked about a statement made by the partner of a Garda whistleblower.

Sergeant Brigid McGowan was outlining contacts between the HSE and gardaí about welfare concerns over the children of Marisa Simms, partner of whistle-blower Keith Harrison in 2013.

The sergeant disagreed with Hugh Hartnett, counsel for Ms Simms, who put it to her that she and a garda inspector had been “suggesting things — that you were saying things to her during this eight-hour interview”.