Latest news with #protecteddisclosures
Irish Times
25-07-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Whistleblowers lodge 67 valid HSE disclosures, with a third about patient health and safety
There were 67 valid protected disclosures made to the Health Service Executive last year, of which more than a third related to the alleged 'endangerment of health and safety' of patients or service users. On Friday, the HSE published its 2024 annual report, which found there were 135 protected disclosures received by the executive last year, up 38 per cent when compared with 2023. A total of 67 disclosures were deemed to be 'valid'. Of these, 26 were closed over the 12-month period and 41 are 'still under examination'. More than 80 per cent of disclosures were made by HSE employees, with the remainder coming from Section 38/39 workers who were not HSE employees. READ MORE A total of 37 per cent of disclosures related to the endangerment of health and safety, 15 (22 per cent) related primarily to alleged unlawful or improper use of funds, with a further 15 relating to 'oppressive, discriminatory or behaviour that constitutes gross misconduct by a public body'. The responsible area that had the highest number of disclosures was HSE Dublin and Midlands with 15, followed by HSE Dublin and North East at 12 and HSE Dublin and South East at 10. According to the annual report, Ireland's population grew by approximately 100,000 people last year, reaching 5.38 million. The number of people aged 65 and over has increased by 37 per cent since 2015 and life expectancy now stands at 82.6 years – above the EU average. As a result of the ageing population, the burden of chronic disease and cancer 'remains high, particularly among older adults'. The report highlighted a number of areas in which services have improved, including a reduction in waiting times for elective procedures as well as fewer people on trolleys. However, it also acknowledged the provision of disability services as a key challenging area for the health service. 'A major priority for the HSE is to significantly improve access for children and families to services,' the report said. 'There is still much to do to significantly improve access when needed, particularly for children and young people.' [ Opinion: Nobody wants to stay in hospital longer than necessary. There's a better way to handle patient discharge Opens in new window ] Speaking about the annual report, HSE chief executive Bernard Gloster said last year marked 'real progress'. 'We reduced the number of people waiting on trolleys by over 10 per cent, expanded community services and improved access to scheduled care with an additional 24,000 patients seen within target time frames,' he said. 'Our focus in 2025 will be to build on this momentum, improve patient flow and continue to reform how care is delivered across seven days.' [ HSE aims to bring in new weekend work rosters for healthcare staff over summer Opens in new window ]
BreakingNews.ie
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Whistleblower welcomes call to have debate over defective gun holsters
A former garda who made protected disclosures about alleged defective gun holsters previously worn by armed officers, has welcomed a call by a senator to have an urgent debate in parliament about the 'grave issues'. Speaking through his solicitor Kevin Winters, the former garda said he is 'greatly encouraged' by Senator Michael McDowell's call to have the issues brought into the public domain. Advertisement The former garda, who is not yet being named, is also taking High Court action against his former employers. Issues around defective gun holsters have been previously raised in the Dáil. Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan said in March that he met the family of murdered garda Det Garda Colm Horkan. The 49-year-old, who was originally from Charlestown, was murdered while on duty in 2020. Advertisement He was shot several times with his own gun on June 17th, 2020 in Castlerea, Co Roscommon. In an separate incident, the Dail heard about an accidental discharge of an officially issued garda firearm that occurred outside the Israeli Embassy on June 11 2020, just under a week before Mr Horkan's death. The discharge resulted in life-changing injuries to the garda. Labour TD Alan Kelly said forensic experts attached to the Garda National Technical Bureau (GNTB) discovered that the holster could engage the trigger and 'fire the weapon of its own accord'. Advertisement Michael McDowell criticised the 'gross mistreatment' of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters (Brian Lawless/PA) On Thursday, Mr McDowell called for a full debate on 'certain grave issues' relating to the armoury section of An Garda Síochána, as well as the 'misuse' of protected disclosures and issues concerning the procurement of defective ammunition. In a statement, a spokesman for KRW Law, which acts for the former garda officer who is also before the court charged in connection with a separate criminal matter, said their client will fully contest the charges. 'Earlier this year, he issued a High Court plenary summons against his former employers seeking damages for the loss, distress and anxiety he's been subjected to over the past few years,' the statement added. 'He is greatly encouraged today following the call made by Senator Michael McDowell SC in the Seanad for these thematically linked issues to be brought into the public domain.' Advertisement Human rights solicitor Kevin Winters said: 'We fully endorse Senator McDowell's call for increased scrutiny on serious issues around gardaí irregularities. 'We have spoken with our client this morning following the comments made and we are pleased to report he is greatly encouraged with what he's heard. 'It had been a lonely and difficult journey for him to get to this point. 'He's been ostracised and vilified for taking a firm stand on what he sees as serious wrongdoing. Advertisement 'It means an awful lot to him to hear someone of the stature of Senator McDowell refer to him as an officer of 'the utmost good character … facing charges which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section'. 'Following today's significant call by the senator we now call upon the DPP (Director of Public Prosecution) to review its decision to persist with the indictment against our client. 'Using the criminal justice system to try and silence an honest gardaí officer is not a good look. We wholeheartedly endorse this morning's call for our client's case to be brought into the public domain together with an urgent debate later in September.' On Thursday, Mr McDowell criticised the 'gross mistreatment' of gardaí who have been affected by the issues surrounding defective holsters. He told the Seanad: 'There is clear evidence that criminal and disciplinary processes have been launched to conceal major misfeasance and shortcomings in the management of the garda armoury. 'A senior garda officer of the utmost integrity has been sidelined for his part in raising these matters. A junior member of An Garda Síochána of the utmost good character is facing criminal charges on indictment which appear to be motivated by a desire to conceal abuses in the armoury section. 'Senior management in An Garda Siochana is aware of all these matters. 'Anyone who thinks that the culture in An Garda Síochána has been transformed by the outcome of the Disclosures Tribunal concerning Sgt Maurice McCabe is, I fear, gravely mistaken. I am shocked by what I have learned. 'These matters need to be brought into the public domain and an urgent debate is required when this House resumes in September.' An Garda Síochána has been contacted for comment.
