Gardaí face collusion probe over murders

A MAJOR probe into Garda activities will take place following the announcement of a tribunal to investigate claims that members of the force colluded with terrorists in carrying out murders in the North.

The tribunal will call as witnesses former and serving gardaí, IRA members and a protected British spy in what is set to be one of the most politically-sensitive inquiries ever conducted here.

A report by Canadian judge Peter Cory yesterday found sufficient evidence of collusion in security force intelligence documents and the testimony of British agent Kevin Fulton to warrant a full public inquiry. Justice Minister Michael McDowell said he intended it to begin in the spring.