Irish TD accuses ex-Justice Minister Helen McEntee of exposing a Garda whistleblower's identity; she says she acted lawfully
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What happened
In the Dáil in September 2026, Labour TD Alan Kelly accused former Justice Minister Helen McEntee of acting 'without legal authority' in handling a September 2023 protected disclosure by Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly, concerning the then Garda commissioner. Kelly said the Office of the Protected Disclosures Commissioner directed the Department's secretary general to investigate, and alleged McEntee had the matter moved to An Garda Síochána, revealing O'Reilly's identity and depriving him of legal protections; he said he did not believe it was deliberate and asked whether it was incompetence or a mistake. McEntee denied the claims, saying she adhered to the law at all times. The exchange followed an RTÉ Investigates report in which two former staff of the Garda protected-disclosure unit alleged they were forced out; the Garda Representative Association has called for a statutory tribunal of inquiry.
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Contacted and made an on-record admission — exact wording not on record.
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