Andrew O’Sullivan, the CIO of Ireland’s police force, An Garda Síochána, has refuted claims stating that his testimony regarding Lois West’s role in reconstituting the police’s analytical programme was deceitful. Mr. O’Sullivan was requested to return for further questioning at the Workplace Relations Commission through virtual means on Friday, which was supposed to conclude the series of legal hearings related to complaints submitted by Ms. West.
Ms. West held the position of deputy chief of the Garda Síochána Analysis Service (GSAS) before commencing her extended sick leave. She asserts that her professional progress was hindered following her revelation about inaccuracies concerning official murder figures to the Oireachtas six years ago. Moreover, Ms. West alleges that the police inadequately handled her complaint regarding sexual harassment and bullying by a high-ranking Garda headquarters official, who has since stepped down.
Mr. O’Sullivan was asked to return following a directive for the state to unveil the proposed plan for widening the scope of the Garda Síochána Analytics Service that he referenced in his prior testimony. He initially stated Ms. West had co-written the document and took an active part in the related discussions in 2020.
According to the revised GSAS structure, the tribunal discovered there were plans to appoint two deputy chiefs, with seven assistant principals and 80-100 analysts under their command. A principal officer used to head this section, with Ms. West and another assistant principal directly reporting to him as joint deputies.
Upon further questioning, Mr. O’Sullivan claimed Ms. West was completely supportive of the proposed plan. David Byrnes BL, acting as Ms. West’s representative, challenged this claim, stating that Ms. West was unknowingly being demoted and would never have agreed to it.
“Mr O’Sullivan declined to agree with the premise that Ms West was being downgraded. He cited Ms West’s ongoing declarations that GSAS suffered from persistent understaffing and herself experiencing significant stress. He maintained his unawareness about Ms West’s supposed opposition to the business expansion strategy.
Mr Byrns addressed the courtroom to suggest that the second business proposal, which specifically mentioned two superior officer deputy head positions at GSAS, meant the role stayed consistent. He proposed that Ms West’s role has been escalated to senior officer, requiring her to apply for her previous position. Mr Byrns’ statement was vehemently denied by Mr O’Sullivan, who detailed his collaboration with Ms West and Ms Parsons on envisaging GSAS’s future expansion, turning it into a larger, more strategic entity.
“They used to be GSAS’s deputy heads, of a smaller version of the organization. It was never assumed that they would naturally transition into their current roles. They needed to compete and prove that they could operate at a senior officer grade,” he explained.
Referee Roger McGrath had earlier attempted to wrap up the case with final statements by the end of the week. Ms West’s legal representatives argued their client’s right to react to fresh documents.
The current state of Ms West was described as extremely delicate by Mr. Byrnes, making it difficult to receive instructions from her. He asserted that demanding her to testify remotely or in person was unreasonable at this point.
Reacting, Mr. Mcgrath said, “Given the circumstance, we must postpone,” and he adjourned the hearing until April 16.
Ms West has lodged complaints under the Protected Disclosures Act 2014, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, and the Payment of Wages Act 1991 against the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána, the government, and the Public Expenditure and Reform Minister.
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