Garda whistleblower John Wilson shakes hands with Acting Garda Commissioner Noirin O’Sullivan outside Leinster House in Dublin last May
You may recall a post last week about how Gemma O’Doherty reported in The Sunday Times that former Garda John Wilson still hadn’t received his ‘certificate of service’ even though he left An Garda Síochána 15 months previous – after 30 years of service.
It was also reported that, before Mr Wilson left the gardaí in May 2013, he was disciplined for attending a court hearing on a day in which he wasn’t on duty. When he was questioned by garda management to explain his whereabouts, he said he had done nothing wrong. After refusing to account for his presence at the hearing, he was subjected to a disciplinary process. In April, he lost a High Court case he took against the disciplinary action and he’s now appealing this to the Supreme Court.
During his case in the High Court, Mr Wilson was offered an exemplary certificate of service on the condition he withdrew his action, but he didn’t.
Yesterday, Gemma O’Doherty wrote in The Sunday Times:
The certificate [exemplary] was sent to him by registered post, three days after his story appeared in last week’s newspaper…Speaking yesterday Wilson said he was relieved the situation had been resolved. “It’s taken more than 16 months to get it, but at least I have it now and can try to get a new job,” he said. “It was a terrible worry hanging over me. I badly needed it.
Garda whistleblower is eventually given certificate (Gemma O’Doherty, Sunday Times)
Previously: How Petty?
Sam Boal/Photocall Ireland
“During his case in the High Court, Mr Wilson was offered an exemplary certificate of service on the condition he withdrew his action, but he didn’t.”
This says it all really. Either the man had an exemplary record or he did not. The use of this certificate as a bargaining device is further evidence (were it needed) that AGS is not fit for purpose.
It’s blatantly failed him. Those involved should be taken to account. But they won’t.
Could he not have sought a job pending issue of the cert?
He was kinda busy fighting a corrupt state institution that besmirched his good name.
Still have to eat