Garda 'accused detective of planting evidence'

A DETECTIVE told the Morris tribunal yesterday that a Garda colleague accused him of "planting" evidence on a witness during the force's investigation into the death of Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron in 1996.

On his third day of evidence to the inquiry, Detective Sergeant Sylvie Henry said Garda John O'Dowd of Raphoe Garda Station had spread rumours that he had planted a notebook in the bedroom of police informer William Doherty in September 1997.

The notebook, which became an exhibit in the Garda investigation into Mr Barron's death, actually belonged to Gda O'Dowd.