Detective cites ‘GUBU’ elements in murder probe

A SENIOR detective used Charlie Haughey’s infamous GUBU phrase at the Morris Tribunal yesterday to describe “sinister elements” in the murder investigation of Richie Barron in 1996.

Det Supt John McGinley was responding to tribunal counsel suggestions that the Donegal investigation was “a disaster” because it was misled by false witness statements and failed to follow up leads.

Det Supt McGinley said: “A lot of it is unprecedented, certainly. A lot of it is maybe GUBU. But there were sinister elements there and I accept that.”