Garda admits psychologically abusing sisters

A GARDA detective said yesterday he and two officers psychologically abused two sisters being quizzed over the death of Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron.

The Morris Tribunal, investigating garda corruption in the county, heard Roisin McConnell and Katrina Brolly were shown graphic pictures of Mr Barron’s body, as lights were flicked off and on.

Ardara-based Detective Garda John Dooley revealed the women were called lying bitches, one was forced to pray to her dead father while the other had her hair pulled as gardaí accused Mrs McConnell’s husband Mark of murder.

In a departure from the deceit and cover-up seen in previous tribunal modules, Gda Dooley has given a sworn statement admitting three officers, including a female garda, abused the women in custody.

After four years of denials in three separate inquiries, Gda Dooley told tribunal investigators both he, Detective Sergeant John White and Garda Joan Gallagher verbally and psychologically harassed the women.

Mrs McConnell ended up needing psychological and hospital care as a result.

Paul McDermott SC told the inquiry Mrs McConnell made serious allegations against Gda Dooley and Det Sgt White in 2002, but the claims have only been admitted now.

Mr McDermott said: “For close to nine years the gardaí who were the subject of these allegations strenuously denied them. This has now changed.

“If it is true, Mrs McConnell and Mrs Brolly have been the subject of the most dreadful treatment whilst in detention and a most scandalous cover-up bythe gardaí involved.

“If it is true, it also marks a significant breaking away from the culture of lies and deceit and the unwillingness to reveal a truth adverse to a colleague that has been an unfortunate feature of this inquiry. That would be a very positive and commendable development.”

In his statement, Gda Dooley told the tribunal: “While Sgt White was showing the photographs to Roisin McConnell, I switched on and off the light in the interview room a number of times.

“I did this spontaneously and on my own initiative to sustain the pressure that had been placed on Roisin McConnell.”

He said: “Roisin McConnell looked shocked at the sight of the post-mortem photographs.”

Gda Dooley said he told Mrs McConnell her husband was having an affair.

He also said Det Sgt White told Mrs McConnell if she told the truth she would avoid prison.

“Sgt White was shouting at Roisin McConnell at this stage and told her she was a ‘lying, murdering bitch’ or words to that effect,” Gda Dooley said.

“Foul language was used by Sgt White. Sgt White told Mrs McConnell he would have no sympathy for her if she was stabbed on the streets of Raphoe.

“Sgt White also reminded Roisin McConnell her child could end up in care if both she and her husband went to prison for the murder of Richie Barron. At this stage, I told Sgt White to take it easy as Roisín McConnell looked frightened.”

She was told to swear on her father’s grave and pray to him for guidance. There was no record of any of the intimidation in garda files.

Mrs McConnell has also alleged she was told she would never see her late father in heaven.

She alleged Det Sgt White was enraged, roaring and shouting so much he was frothing at the mouth with spittle hitting her face.

Det Sgt White has denied all of the allegations.

Gda Dooley said Mrs McConnell was not physically abused, nor spat on.

Morris Tribunal

THE Morris Tribunal heard yesterday of the abuse meted out to Katrina Brolly, including a claim by Gda Dooley that his colleague, Gda Joan Gallagher, pulled Mrs Brolly’s hair twice as she was warned she could end up in jail.

Gda Dooley said: “At one stage ... Gda Joan Gallagher left herown seat and walked around the other side of the table behind Katrina Brolly, pulled her hair twice and called Katrina Brolly a ‘lying bitch’ or words to that effect.

“Katrina Brolly became annoyed and said ‘I am not here to have my hair pulled’.”

Gda Dooley went on: “I admit both Sgt White and I uttered profanities during our interview with Katrina Brolly.”

He told the tribunal he regretted his treatment of the two sisters, breaching custody regulations and his subsequent denials.

Mr McDermott said the statement could well result in civil, criminal and/or, disciplinary proceedings being taken against Gda Dooley.

Gda Dooley’s statement also detailed how the visiting room in Letterkenny Garda Station was bugged in December 1996 as people in custody met solicitors and relatives.