Retired Garda sergeant William Hughes: appeared at the Disclosures Tribunal in Dublin Castle. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
A Garda whistleblower said he was ignored by management when making “the most serious allegations” an officer could make in raising “systematic failures” over the murder of Baiba Saulite, a tribunal has been told.
The mother-of-two was shot dead at her home in Swords, Co Dublin in November 2006. Her murder remains unsolved.
In 2008, then Sgt William Hughes, who retired from the force in 2013, made a protected disclosure on “policing issues” before Ms Saulite’s murder and on certain events in the aftermath that the tribunal is investigating.
He alleged that the case of Ms Saulite, who had been subjected to domestic abuse prior to her murder, had been mishandled.
After the Swords-based sergeant made his views known to fellow gardaí, he himself was investigated for “failure to take appropriate action on information known in respect of Ms Saulite”, which he denied.
On Friday, Sgt Hughes told counsel for the tribunal Patrick Marrinan SC that after he made his disclosure he suffered “harassment, bullying, targeting and isolation” from his superiors.
An investigation was begun by Garda management into whether or not Sgt Hughes’ health issues amount to a work-related injury. After surpassing 183 days of missing work, Sgt Hughes, by January 2009, had his pay...
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