Courts / Ireland / Report

Garda concerned that press office was "compromised"

Summary

In a Charleton tribunal hearing, Sergeant Damien Hogan, a long‑time member of the Garda press office, testified that he grew concerned the office had been compromised and that confidential investigative information was being leaked to journalists. Hogan, who served in the press office from 1994 to 2004 and again from 2009 onward, said he noticed newspaper articles that closely mirrored unpublished incident reports. He described the press office's access to sensitive data and warned that such leaks could jeopardise investigations. Hogan also recounted that former press officer Superintendent David Taylor had been directed by former Commissioner Martin Callinan to brief the media negatively on whistleblower Sergeant Maurice McCabe, a claim Taylor denies. The tribunal heard that Taylor's relationship with the office's communications director was strained, that he was a strict timekeeper, and that he had installed swipe cards in the press office, including on toilets.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda concerned that press office was "compromised". Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

• 1 July 2012 Other
• 31 May 2014 Other
• 1994 to 2004 Incident
• 2006 and 2010 Other
• 2018-05-09 Publication

Why: Asked by tribunal barrister Patrick Marrinan SC if Supt Taylor was uncomplimentary towards Sgt McCabe because of the assault allegations or because he was speaking out on garda issues, Sgt Molloy said it was because Sgt McCabe was speaking out. CNI source report

Topics

Stage Hearing Or Decision

Read the original CNI report