Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
Whistleblowers

There's a new garda confidential recipient... but not for long

Retired judge Pat McMahon will vacate the office once it is abolished in the coming weeks.

THE GOVERNMENT HAS appointed a retired judge as the new garda confidential recipient to replace the sacked Oliver Connolly.

Pat McMahon’s appointment is temporary as the office is being abolished in the coming weeks. He retired from the bench last April.

The confidential recipient is tasked with receiving confidential reports of corruption or malpractice within An Garda Síochána from garda members or civilian employees.

McMahon’s appointment comes on foot of the sacking of Connolly last month after he was unable to repudiate comments he allegedly made in a conversation with the garda whistleblower Maurice McCabe.

The appointment follows consultation by Shatter with the gardaí, the Garda Ombudsman and garda representative bodies as mandated under the An Garda Siochána Act.

The office of confidential recipient is being abolished with an amendment to the Protected Disclosures Bill, dubbed the ‘Whistleblowers’ Bill’, to allow serving gardaí to make complaints about garda conduct to the Garda Ombudsman.

With the Whistleblowers’ Bill expected to pass the Dáil and Seanad by the Easter recess, McMahon’s tenure will be short-lived.

Oliver Connolly: I’ve been subjected to a concentrated attack by certain TDs

Shatter: I didn’t ‘recall or remember’ Oliver Connolly’s €1k donation when I appointed him

Your Voice
Readers Comments
28
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.