GARDA WHISTLEBLOWER KEITH Harrison has been medically cleared to return to work after two-and-a-half years on sick leave.

Harrison has made a number of claims about his treatment by senior gardaí since he arrested another garda in Athlone for suspected drink driving in 2009.

He has alleged that people he previously arrested were approached and asked whether they wished to make complaints against him, that surveillance was placed on him and that information about a garda inquiry into him was deliberately leaked.

The whistleblower, who was eventually transferred to Buncrana in Co Donegal, has been on leave due to work-related stress for the last 30 months. He has claimed he suffered panic-attacks due to the harassment he experienced over the five-year period after he arrested his colleague.

It is understood Harrison was assessed by the medical officer at Garda Headquarters in Dublin yesterday and deemed fit for work.

This recommendation will now be sent to management and he is expected to return as early as next month, though he will be placed in a different station in Donegal. Harrison has been on leave without pay for a number of months after his illness benefit scheme expired.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is currently investigating his claims.

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