Judge who chaired child abuse inquiry takes up tribunal reins
ANY further hearings of the Disclosures Tribunal, which is investigating the alleged mistreatment of Garda whistleblowers, will be conducted by Mr Justice Sean Ryan, the former president of the Court of Appeal.
Mr Justice Ryan, who previously chaired the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, retired in March following a distinguished legal career.
But he has now been appointed by the Government as a member of the tribunal.
He will eventually replace Supreme Court judge Mr Justice Peter Charleton, who has been the sole member of the tribunal since it was set up in February of last year.
Mr Justice Charleton has already delivered a report on claims made by Gda Keith Harrison. Earlier this month he concluded hearings in relation to an alleged smear campaign against Sgt Maurice McCabe.
His involvement with the tribunal will end once he delivers a report on those matters this October.
Mr Justice Ryan will carry out the tribunal’s next module, which will consider any other complaints by a member of An Garda Síochána who made a protected disclosure prior to February 16, 2017 alleging wrongdoing within the force, and where they were targeted or discredited with the knowledge or acquiescence of senior officers for making their disclosure.
Earlier this month the tribunal said it was gathering papers on a preliminary basis in relation to other whistleblower complaints. It is understood a complaint made by Gda Nicky Keogh will be examined as part of this exercise.
The garda was named in the Dáil as having raised concerns with senior management about alleged Garda collusion with a drugs gang.
Gda Keogh has alleged that after raising concerns he was subject to bullying and harassment.