Garda Gallagher denies Brolly interview was abusive

A FEMALE garda yesterday insisted she played no part in the psychological torture meted out to a mother-of-three at Letterkenny station despite shocking revelations from two other officers that she did.

During an hour of intense questioning at the Morris Tribunal, Garda Joan Gallagher adamantly denied pulling Katrina Brolly’s hair.

She claimed she could not remember graphic post mortem photos being thrust in Mrs Brolly’s face or lights being flicked on and off.

Garda Gallagher said she had no idea why her friend and former colleague Garda John Dooley, and senior Detective Sergeant John White, said the late night questioning turned into abuse.

At one point she suggested the claims may have been due to Garda Dooley’s mental state. “I believe that Garda Dooley believes what he is saying. I don’t think that he thinks he is telling lies, but I know it didn’t happen,” she said.

Agreeing it was unusual for her to differ so greatly with officers, she said: “I don’t think Garda Dooley is saying anything out of malice or is out to get anyone. Unfortunately, I’m not qualified to say if it is delusional.”

Under pressure from tribunal chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris, she said: “I would have thought I knew John Dooley well enough, that he is an honest man. I’m not suggesting it is his recent illness, maybe it has something to do with it, I don’t know.”

But insisting it was a long, boring interview, Garda Gallagher repeatedly denied assaulting Mrs Brolly.

“Did you go around the table and pull her hair?” tribunal barrister Anthony Barr SC asked.

“No,” was Garda Gallagher’s reply.

Mr Barr pressed her: “Did you go anywhere near her?” “No,” again came the blunt reply.

Garda Gallagher then agreed it was a blatant and intentional lie by Mrs Brolly. Under further pressure from Judge Morris, Garda Gallagher admitted foul and abusive language may have been used.

“Bad language is almost part of daily use by guards and it’s quite possible there was bad language,” she said.

“I can’t say it didn’t happen ... it’s something you hear every day.”

Garda Gallagher admitted she was in pain with a bad back, was tired and that suspect Katrina Brolly was arrogant and dismissive during the interview. But she insisted she did not crack under the strain and attack the mother-of-three.

“She (Mrs Brolly) seemed to be totally undaunted by the whole thing, maybe arrogant is the wrong word. I’d say dismissive definitely. They were trying to get an answer to a question that they felt was important and Mrs Brolly was not taking it seriously.”