Garda denies sleeping during suspect’s interview

A SENIOR garda last night denied falling asleep during an interview with a key suspect in the death of a Donegal cattle dealer, Richie Barron.

Superintendent John McGinley, who was then a detective inspector, had called to the home of Mark McConnell in Raphoe, Co Donegal, two days after Riche Barron had been found dead by the roadside.

Mr McConnell, who is representing himself at the tribunal, said the garda officer had fallen asleep on his couch during the interview in October 1996. “He wasn’t paying attention at all. I don’t want to be disrespectful to anyone but he was actually making slight snoring noises,” he said.