Latest news with #KeithHarrison
Irish Times
29-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
Donegal garda loses High Court challenge to suspension over alleged inappropriate relationship
Donegal-based Garda Keith Harrison has lost a High Court challenge to his ongoing suspension for an alleged inappropriate relationship with a woman he had dealt with while investigating alleged domestic abuse. Gda Harrison, who had given evidence at the Disclosures Tribunal investigating claims by Garda whistleblowers, was suspended in 2021 over the alleged inappropriate relationship. The suspension has been extended every three months since then. In March last year he started a High Court challenge to a Garda board of inquiry that was established to investigate the allegations against him. He claimed a belated disclosure of a decision not to prosecute the person accused of domestic abuse represented a significant change in circumstances that would trigger a requirement to notify him and invite submissions from him on the implications of that decision for his suspension. READ MORE He also claimed, among other complaints, that a particular witness statement had not been disclosed to his side until the board of inquiry hearing took place. Gda Harrison, who is stationed in Milford, also said the series of suspension extensions every three months was unlawful. He denied any wrongdoing, saying the relationship with the woman involved was consensual and has now ended. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris opposed the challenge. On Thursday, Mr Justice Garrett Simons dismissed the case after finding Gda Harrison's continuing suspension was lawful. Considering the 'seriousness of the breaches of discipline alleged and the apparent strength of the evidence underlying those allegations', the judge said, it was 'reasonable and rational' for the suspension to be extended at each three-month review. He was satisfied the belated disclosure of the June 2020 decision not to pursue a criminal prosecution was not a significant change that would to trigger a requirement to notify him. The essence of the alleged breach of discipline remained the same, he said. The challenge to the proposed procedures of the board of inquiry was premature and it could not be said, at this remove, that the process has gone irretrievably wrong, the judge said. The disciplinary process arose after the woman involved allegedly reported to Gda Harrison in 2019 that she was a victim of assault and domestic abuse. It is claimed he entered into a relationship with her within weeks. The judge said the alleged breach of discipline was that this was contrary to the professional duty of care for a garda to engage in a sexual relationship with a person who has made a complaint of domestic abuse to that officer. The alleged breach of discipline was directed towards 'the power dynamic between a person making a complaint of domestic abuse and the garda to whom that complaint is made', he said. The decision not the prosecute the person alleged to have carried out the abuse did 'not materially affect any assessment of the seriousness of the alleged breach of discipline', he said. Gda Harrison was one of several members of the force to appear before the Disclosures Tribunal. In 2017 and 2018, the tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Peter Charleton, rejected allegations made by him.
The Journal
29-05-2025
- The Journal
High Court rules suspension of Garda who allegedly had inappropriate relationship with woman is lawful
THE HIGH COURT has ruled that the suspension of a garda who allegedly had an inappropriate relationship with a woman who made a criminal complaint to him is lawful. Last March, Donegal-based Garda Keith Harrison brought a High Court challenge against his ongoing suspension. Harrison brought judicial review proceedings before the High Court seeking orders lifting and quashing his suspension. The suspension relates to allegations he had an inappropriate relationship with a woman who for a time was his partner. It is alleged that in 2019, Harrison took a formal statement from a woman who had made a criminal complaint of domestic abuse against her then partner. Harrison later entered into a relationship with this woman. While she is not pursuing any criminal complaint against Harrison, An Garda Síochána contend that the relationship was 'inappropriate and contrary to the professional duty of care owed by a member of An Garda Síochána to a person alleged to be a vulnerable victim of a crime'. An Garda Síochána also cited a 'power dynamic between a person making a complaint of domestic abuse and the Garda to whom that complaint is made'. The High Court noted that there is 'strong evidence of the applicant having entered into a sexual relationship with the complainant within weeks of the complaint of domestic abuse'. The woman, who can't be named to respect her privacy, didn't pursue a criminal prosecution against her then partner. Advertisement It was argued by Harrison that the fact that there was no criminal prosecution by the woman against her then partner means that she cannot properly be described as a 'vulnerable victim of a crime'. It was also argued that this 'at the very least reduces the seriousness of the alleged breach of discipline'. However, the High Court said there are many reasons why a criminal prosecution might not be pursued in the context of alleged domestic abuse and that 'it cannot automatically be inferred that the person making the complaint was not vulnerable'. Harrison previously stated that he entered into 'a fully consensual' relationship with the woman and noted that the two have a child together. Harrison was first suspended in March 2021 and his suspension has been extended in a series of three-monthly decisions since. The High Court today ruled that Harrison's continued suspension is lawful. Mr. Justice Garrett Simons said that given the 'seriousness of the breaches of discipline alleged, it was reasonable and rational for the Assistant Commissioner to extend this suspension on each of the three-monthly reviews'. The judge dismissed the application for judicial review. Harrison was one of several garda members to have appeared before the Disclosures Tribunal, which investigated claims by Garda whistleblowers. In 2017 and 2018, the tribunal chair Mr Justice Peter Charleton rejected allegations by Harrison and his then-partner. The allegations included that a woman, who is not the woman at the centre of the High Court legal action, was compelled by gardaí to make a statement against Harrison that led to a Tusla referral and that Harrison was the victim of a five-year intimidation campaign after arresting a fellow officer for drink driving in 2009. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former RI mayoral candidate arraigned in fake signatures case
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A Woonsocket man was arraigned Wednesday for allegedly forging nomination papers while running for mayor last year. Keith Harrison, 38, who unsuccessfully ran in the nonpartisan race, was arrested last Thursday and charged by both the R.I. State Police and Woonsocket police. Harrison did not enter a plea in Providence District Court. No facts were read aloud in court, and a judge released Harrison on personal recognizance in both cases. As he left the courtroom, Harrison told Target 12 he had no comment. A Target 12 investigation first revealed last year at least two people listed on Harrison's nomination papers had died before the race got underway. Four other people listed on his papers said they never signed. When submitting his papers to election officials, Harrison signed a sworn affidavit saying all the people on the list 'did so sign the paper in my presence.' Police subsequently launched an investigation and Target 12 obtained an arrest warrant last week showing dispatch advised police to be on the lookout for Harrison's vehicle, as he was wanted by State Police for fraud-related charges. Woonsocket police found Harrison's car left running and unattended at a Subway parking lot last Thursday. Body-worn camera video obtained by Target 12 shows Woonsocket police approached Harrison, who said he was opening his car to put food inside. 'I am going to tell you what to do,' an officer said. 'Your car is running. I don't know if you're going to take off on me, so you're not going to open that door.' Police said Harrison was 'very uncooperative,' and refused to give his name, but he later said his name was 'Kevin.' Harrison attempted to get back inside his running car and ignored commands, according to police. Harrison resisted when an officer tried to put him in handcuffs, according to the police report. The officer also flipped over a Brown Health identification badge on Harrison, which showed he'd given police a false name. Police later searched his car and found a Glock model handgun inside a lunchbox, three loaded magazines, plus a black police/military style tactical vest with a black patch with lettering that displayed 'SHERIFF.' Officers said they also found a duty belt with three pairs of handcuffs on the belt, plus a retractable baton. 'When questioned about these items, Harrison claimed he worked night security in Providence but claimed he tells people he's not a police officer,' according to police. State Police charged Harrison with one felony count of violating nomination papers, two felony counts of forgery or counterfeiting, two counts of identity fraud, plus one misdemeanor count of giving false documents to an agent, employee or public official. Woonsocket police charged Harrison was charged with obstruction of a police officer and resisting arrest along with weapons charges for possessing a high capacity magazine with more than 10 rounds, and unsafe storage of a firearm. He's due back in court in June. Alexandra Leslie (aleslie@ is a Target 12 investigative reporter covering Providence and more for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
