Whistleblower welcomes call to have debate over defective gun holsters

By Cate McCurry, PA

A former garda who made protected disclosures about alleged defective gun holsters previously worn by armed officers, has welcomed a call by a senator to have an urgent debate in parliament about the “grave issues”.

Speaking through his solicitor Kevin Winters, the former garda said he is “greatly encouraged” by Senator Michael McDowell’s call to have the issues brought into the public domain.

The former garda, who is not yet being named, is also taking High Court action against his former employers.

Issues around defective gun holsters have been previously raised in the Dáil.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said in March that he met the family of murdered garda Det Garda Colm Horkan.

The 49-year-old, who was originally from Charlestown, was murdered while on duty in 2020.

He was shot several times with his own gun on June 17th, 2020 in Castlerea, Co Roscommon.

In an separate incident, the Dail heard about an accidental discharge of an officially issued garda firearm that occurred outside the Israeli Embassy on June 11 2020, just under a week before Mr Horkan’s death.

The discharge resulted in life-changing injuries to the garda.

Labour TD Alan Kelly said forensic experts attached to the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) discovered that the holster could engage the trigger and “fire the weapon of its own accord”.

On Thursday, Mr McDowell called for a full debate on “certain grave issues” relating to the armoury section of An Garda Síochána, as well as the “misuse” of protected disclosures and issues concerning the procurement of defective ammunition.

In a statement, a spokesman for KRW Law, which acts for the former garda officer who is also before the court charged in connection with a separate criminal matter, said their client will fully contest the charges.

“Earlier this year, he issued a High Court plenary summons against his former employers seeking damages for the loss, distress and anxiety he’s been subjected to over the past few years,” the statement added.

“He is greatly encouraged today following the call made by Senator Michael McDowell SC in the Seanad for these thematically linked issues to be brought into the public domain.”

Human rights solicitor Kevin Winters said: “We fully endorse Senator McDowell’s call for increased scrutiny on serious issues around gardaí irregularities.

“We have spoken with our client this morning following the comments made and we are pleased to report he is greatly encouraged with what he’s heard.

“It had been a lonely and difficult journey for him to get to this point.

“He’s been ostracised and vilified for taking a firm stand on what he sees as serious wrongdoing.

“It means an awful lot to him to hear someone of the stature of Senator McDowell refer to him as an officer of “the utmost good character … facing charges which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section”.

“Following today’s significant call by the senator we now call upon the DPP (Director of Public Prosecution) to review its decision to persist with the indictment against our client.

“Using the criminal justice system to try and silence an honest gardaí officer is not a good look. We wholeheartedly endorse this morning’s call for our client’s case to be brought into the public domain together with an urgent debate later in September.”

On Thursday, Mr McDowell criticised the “gross mistreatment” of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters.

He told the Seanad: “There is clear evidence that criminal and disciplinary processes have been launched to conceal major misfeasance and shortcomings in the management of the garda armoury.

“A senior garda officer of the utmost integrity has been sidelined for his part in raising these matters. A junior member of An Garda Síochána of the utmost good character is facing criminal charges on indictment which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section.

“Senior management in An Garda Siochana is aware of all these matters.

“Anyone who thinks that the culture in An Garda Síochána has been transformed by the outcome of the Disclosures Tribunal concerning Sgt Maurice McCabe is, I fear, gravely mistaken. I am shocked by what I have learned.

“These matters need to be brought into the public domain and an urgent debate is required when this House resumes in September.”

An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.