Garda moved to elite unit after arrest

A detective sergeant was granted a transfer to an elite Dublin unit just days after being arrested and questioned in connection with a range of serious offences.

Det Sgt John White was arrested in connection with engineering a plot against associates of the McBrearty family by getting Bernard Conlon to make false statements alleging he was threatened by them. Alleged police harassment of the McBrearty family is a major focus of the Morris Tribunal.

Following his arrest, Det Sgt White was suspended but later re-instated and granted a transfer to the prestigious unit. But he failed to turn up for work in March 2000, citing severe stress, and has been off ever since.

Det Sgt White faces no charges in connection with the alleged false statements but is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Interviewed following his arrest, Det Sgt White denied any wrongdoing in relation to his dealings with Conlon, a Sligo man who was a State witness in a series of licensing cases against the McBrearty family, who own Frankies nightclub in Raphoe.

Conlon alleges Det Sgt White asked him to stay on in Frankies after hours on a particular night in August 1997, and then later make a statement.

He claimed also White later - during one of 23 court appearances in connection with the licensing cases - asked him to make the allegation that he was threatened by McBrearty associates Mark McConnell and Michael Peoples and that a silver bullet was produced.

Conlon said he was coached by the detective on what to say and claims he was given cash. He also claims he was asked to make a statement alleging the McBrearty family's private investigator William Flynn tried to bribe him.

When arrested in March 2000, Det Sgt White denied any wrongdoing in connection with Conlon.

During his detention, the detective objected to materials being removed from his locker in Letterkenny, claiming they included notebooks on the McBrearty case, a notepad detailing the times of telephone conversations with gardaí who had dealings with Conlon, a dictaphone and video cassettes. He also objected to Detective Inspector Tadgh Foley a member of the Garda's own Carty investigation team examining his diary because, he claimed, there "may be reference to himself and his team in relation to criminal wrongdoings on their behalf".

A second garda, John Nicholson, is alleged to have been involved with Conlon but denies any wrongdoing or involvement in putting up the Sligo man to make false statements.

Gda Nicholson pleaded guilty to three counts of forging certificates of loss of earnings for the unemployed Conlon in connection with expenses paid for his court appearances. A judge this summer found the facts proved but recorded no conviction.