Tribunal garda facing sack resigns

NOEL MCMAHON, the detective garda found guilty of corruption by the Morris Tribunal, has tendered his resignation.

The garda press office yesterday confirmed that the process by which the disgraced officer will depart the force had got under way.

It is thought his resignation will take effect from next week.

He had been facing dismissal because of the findings contained in the tribunal’s interim report, published earlier this month, on the activities of certain gardaí in the Donegal division.

The scathing report branded Det Gda McMahon and Superintendent Kevin Lennon corrupt liars who had manufactured finds of explosives in Donegal to boost their own careers.

Both are currently suspended from duty.

The report also criticised 17 other members of the force, either for negligence in failing to investigate fully the two men’s activities, or for being obstructive to the tribunal’s work.

Det Gda McMahon is the third casualty of the report, after Chief Supt Denis Fitzpatrick and Supt John P O’Connor.

Both men were criticised for negligence and are taking early retirement.

There may yet be further casualties, with Supt Lennon’s position, in particular, under much scrutiny.

Under law, it is the Government which decides on the fitness to serve of superintendents and officers of higher rank. Positions below superintendent are a matter for the Garda Commissioner.

As a result, the cabinet will decide Supt Lennon’s fate at its first meeting after the summer recess in September.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell has written to the superintendent, and is currently awaiting a response.

Any such response will be considered by the cabinet when it makes its decision.

Garda Commissioner Noel Conroy had already begun dismissal proceedings against Det Gda McMahon prior to his resignation.

Disciplinary action against the other gardaí criticised in the Morris report has yet to be determined.