Garda 'accused detective of planting evidence'
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.
Gda O'Dowd later said in a statement that it contained "sensitive information" related to his job.
Today Det Sgt Henry said the allegation that he "planted" the notebook on Doherty was "absolutely ridiculous, to put it mildly."
The detective found the notebook on Doherty's bedside table before he arrested him for making threatening phone calls about the Barron death.
Det Sgt Henry said he discussed Gda O'Dowd's allegations with his superiors, Det Inspector John McGinley and Supt Joe Shelley, at the time.
Counsel for the tribunal, Anthony Barr said to Det Sgt Henry: "You are a detective sergeant of many years of experience in investigating serious crime.
"And here was an allegation from within the gardaí that you had planted a notebook on William Doherty."
Det Sgt Henry said "I was obviously annoyed. Everything I did was to further the investigation in a proper manner."
He said the "serious allegation" made him "reluctant" to have any contact with Gda O'Dowd at the time.
When asked by Mr Barr how the allegation had originated, the witness said: "I think it was Doherty that actually said it first. I forget how it went on from there."
Gda O'Dowd said in a 1998 statement that he didn't report that the notebook was stolen because he believed that "it would be returned sooner or later".
He explained it was in his jacket pocket at a case conference in Letterkenny Garda Station but he noticed it missing when he later drove to Raphoe.
Mr Barr asked: "Was there an oblique allegation that his notebook had been taken by a member of the gardaí?"
Det Sgt Henry replied: "Perhaps behind the scenes that was what he was saying."
