Gardaí defend whistleblowing record amid allegations members were forced out of force

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána defended the force's whistleblowing record. File picture

An Garda Síochána says it is fully committed to ensuring the integrity of whistleblowing within the organisation, amid allegations that members who raised concerns were sidelined or forced out.

Four former and current members of the force are featured in an upcoming RTÉ Investigates documentary, with two directly connected to the Garda whistleblowing unit and two others who made protected disclosures.

The members connected to the Gardaí’s Protected Disclosure Unit – Donal Corcoran and Rose Sweeney – allege they were “forced out” of the organisation and punished for protecting whistleblowers.

Both have left the force and now live on social welfare.

Detective Superintendent Brian O’Reilly, head of the Garda Technical Bureau, was given responsibility for the Firearms Section at Garda Headquarters in 2019. Det Supt O’Reilly has made a number of protected disclosures about a defective gun holster that he linked to the death of a Garda in a capital murder.

Another whistleblower has been anonymised. All four allege a hostile culture in the force and say they were sidelined for speaking out on issues.

Former justice minister Senator Michael McDowell said the involved parties “have been handled in a way which is disgraceful and which must be stopped.”

A spokesperson for An Garda Síochána defended the force's whistleblowing record.

“We encourage and support employees in disclosing wrongdoing and have implemented mechanisms to ensure that workers can raise concerns with the confidence that they will be listened to and that their concerns will be appropriately addressed.

“Protected Disclosures can be raised directly within the organisation or through the dedicated reporting channel independently operated by Transparency Ireland.” 

The Protected Disclosures Unit was established in An Garda Síochána in 2017 following a spate of high-profile controversies in the organisation.

Irish Examiner journalist Mick Clifford previously broke the story of Maurice McCabe, a former Garda sergeant who unveiled a series of damaging Garda practices.

The Garda spokesperson said whistleblowing protections had been strengthened in recent years, with the appointment of further staff, increased training and partnerships with Transparency International Ireland, IBEC and Maynooth University.

The spokesperson said the allegations relating to firearm security raised by Det Supt Brian O’Reilly were matters taken seriously by the Gardaí.

“At a PAC meeting in June 2025, (Former Garda Commissioner Drew Harris) outlined in public the measures taken to protect evidence primarily through the Garda Property and Evidence Management System (PEMS)," the spokesperson said. 

"Commissioner Harris did state that the system was robust but was not fool-proof against individual Garda personnel with criminal intent.

“PEMS is used by An Garda Síochána to track, store, and manage evidence, and seized items such as drugs, cash, and firearms.

“Following commentary based on dated material, then Commissioner Harris invited the Chair and Chief Executive of the then Policing Authority to inspect the firearm storage facilities in Garda Headquarters. There were no adverse comments made by the Policing Authority following this.”