A Donegal-based Garda whistleblower has been medically assessed and cleared to return to duty after being on sick leave for 30 months.
The garda claims he suffered panic attacks following an alleged intimidation campaign lasting five years. He claims he had been put under surveillance after he arrested a fellow officer in 2009.
Garda Keith Harrison arrested a serving member of the drugs unit in Westmeath for alleged drink-driving seven years ago. He then made claims about how the drunk-driving case was struck out of court on dubious rulings and how evidence relating to the case was stolen by a member of the gardaí.
After being on sick leave for two and a half years, Harrison was reportedly assessed by a medical officer and deemed fit for work by the Gardai. It is reported that he can return to work in the coming weeks.
Harrison was confined to a desk job and later transferred to Buncrana after the incident in 2009. He was then transferred to Donegal Town. He claimed he was subjected to a hostile environment from his colleagues in both stations. It is now expected that he will be moved to a different station.
The garda had been living without an income after the first two years of his sick leave, as his illness benefit payments expired.
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