[Former Garda John Wilson outside the Dáil in January]
John Wilson was not in uniform and off-duty when he attended a case in the presence of Walter and Genevieve Smith, who were co-defendants in a case being heard, in 2012.
Arising from this, he was found to have breached Garda regulations, after he refused to explain why he attended the court hearing.
Mr Wilson went to the High Court challenging this finding and this morning he lost this challenge.
Breaking News reports:
“The High Court has ruled that the garda authorities were entitled to ask John Wilson for an explanation as to why he sat beside the defendants during a court case while off duty.
“Ms Justice Iseult O’Malley notes that the trial involved a long running dispute between neighbours in an estate in Virgina Co Cavan and his attendance could impinge ‘upon the public perception of the force as a whole’
“She has found that Gda Wilson should have at least explained that his private life was at issue but instead he suggested a ‘degree of bad faith’ by asking what was being insinuated about him.”
Following the decision, Mr Wilson said:
“I will be considering today’s judgment very carefully with my legal team.”
Whistleblower Wilson loses High Court action (Breaking News)
Related: Whistleblower fights disciplinary findings (Irish Examiner)
Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
