Athlone garda whistleblower wants case included in public inquiry

Garda whistleblower Keith Harrison has demanded that his case be included in the public inquiry being set up by the Government into the treatment of Sergeant Maurice McCabe.

The Dail has previously been told that Mr Harrision, who was based in Athlone for a number of years, believes he was victimised after arresting a colleague.

Katherine Zappone, the Minister with responsibility for Tusla, yesterday (Tuesday) agreed to requests in the Dáil, from Labour TD Alan Kelly and Sinn Fein's Pearse Doherty, to meet with Mr Harrison before the terms of reference for the public inquiry are finalised.

Keith Harrison's solicitor, Trevor Collins, told RTE's Prime Time programme last night (Tuesday) that Mr Harrison had been writing 'continuously' to the Tanaiste and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald, since June of 2014, outlining his case.

'(Mr Harrison) has brought to her attention the efforts, as he sees it, of senior management in An Garda Siochana, to smear him, to destroy his credibility.'

The solicitor said 'the fundamental being' of Mr Harrison and his partner, Marisa, had come under attack.

'Everything they cared for was being questioned and undermined. To this day we continue to wait to hear from the Tanaiste and Minister for Justice. Keith has received no explanation for why this has happened.'

The Garda, who is now based in Donegal, remains out of work on sick leave, his solicitor said.

'Keith has the greatest respect for his colleagues within the rank and file. He has huge adminration for them and, every day, it is his wish that he could rejoin them as a serving member of An Garda Siochana.'

In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Harrison demanded that his case be included in the inquiry currently being established in relation to Sergeant McCabe.

He said there had been unjustified referrals of his family to the child and family agency, Tusla, by An Garda Siochana.

His solicitor said, 'any inquiry would be fundamentally flawed and undermined from the very outset if it does not include whistleblowers who have suffered a common pattern of behaviour at, what they believe to be, the hands of senior management of An Garda Siochana.'