LUKE ‘MING’ FLANAGAN has told the Dáil he and Garda whistleblower John Wilson were followed by an unmarked Garda car today.
The independent TD said the incident occurred when he and Wilson visited the headquarters of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission this morning.
They were there to inform GSOC of ”a serious allegation of corruption” in the Garda drug squad, which was brought to Flanagan’s attention by a serving member of the force within the last week.
Flanagan said he and Wilson were sitting in a café beside GSOC’s offices when they noticed they were under surveillance by an unmarked Garda car.
When Wilson went ouside to see what was going on the car followed him down the street, according to Flanagan.
He said the Garda who raised the allegation of corruption was already “terrified to come forward for obvious reasons” and was left “quivering” from the ”worrying ordeal” that took place today.
Flanagan said the public could not trust GSOC while member of the gardai continued to work there. He added that the unnamed Garda fears evidence could be tampered with in a cover-up bid.
People are losing faith in what they have to have faith in -An Garda Síochána. That trust is not on the floor, it’s below the floor.
Flanagan informed the Dáil of the incident during Leaders’ Questions this afternoon.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he knew “nothing” about the claims, but added that he would treat the allegation of Garda malpractice with the ”utmost confidentiality and respect” should the Deputy share details of it with him.
Flanagan accused Kenny of treating his comments as a joke, saying: ”You are a disgrace.”
Kenny denied this and said new legislation would ensure protection for Garda whistleblowers.
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