Exhumation cancelled by garda chief

A CHIEF superintendent ordered an exhumation of the body of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron to be cancelled because a new post mortem could have been disastrous for a garda murder inquiry, the Morris Tribunal was told yesterday.

Former superintendent Kevin Lennon told the tribunal into garda corruption in Donegal that he had requested the exhumation of Mr Barron in October 1997 because the investigation into his suspected murder had insufficient forensic evidence. But he said he was told to cancel the exhumation by his chief superintendent, Denis Fitzpatrick.

“I think he cancelled it because he knew the investigation was going sideways,” said Mr Lennon.