Judge emphasises importance of media following press exclusion from Garda whistleblower case

A High Court judge has underlined the significant role of media transparency following the Workplace Relations Commission's decision to exclude reporters from a hearing concerning a detective superintendent's protected disclosures about defective firearm holsters used by armed gardaí. Mr Justice Garrett Simons stated that any exclusion from public proceedings must be strictly justified and questioned whether the WRC had adequately justified hearing the case behind closed doors. Detective Superintendent Brian O'Reilly, acting head of the Garda National Technical Bureau, is seeking to quash a WRC ruling that permitted the exclusion on grounds of sensitivity. Det Supt O'Reilly contends he suffered workplace detriment following disclosures regarding holster safety concerns, and claims the defective leather equipment endangered officers and the public. The case relates to a 2020 incident involving an accidental shooting and the subsequent murder of Detective Garda Colm Horkan in Castlerea, Roscommon.