Garda chief in charge of ‘negligent’ branch

GARDA Commissioner Noel Conroy headed the force’s Crime and Security branch at a time when it was negligent in failing to ask questions about a trip to the United States by two central figures investigated by the Morris Tribunal.

Information about the November 1994 trip by Adrienne McGlinchey and Yvonne Devine to New York was passed to Crime and Security, which in turned informed the FBI, who carried out surveillance on the two women. Ms McGlinchey had told her garda “handler” Detective Garda Noel McMahon that she was going to America in November 1994 on behalf of the IRA, despite the organisation being on ceasefire at the time. She claimed to be picking up documents, believed to relate to weapons that could bring down helicopters.

Commissioner Conroy became Assistant Commissioner, Crime and Security, on November 1, 1994.

Mr Justice Frederick Morris, in his devastating report on the fallout from the planting of hoax explosives in Donegal, referred briefly to the New York trip, but it was heavily censored, with much of the evidence and documents not being revealed publicly.

During the trip, the pair dressed as leprechauns and did a “brisk” trade selling pieces of turf from their native county, packaging them in parcels and selling them as “pieces of the auld sod.”

The circumstances conform to the worst of their behaviour during the period in Buncrana but now took on an international dimension and involved Crime and Security, Mr Justice Morris reported. The incident was bizarre and inconsistent with the activities of someone supposedly involved in a professional terrorist organisation. “It is extremely disappointing and mystifying as to why Crime and Security ... did not follow this matter by making a full inquiry of local officers in Donegal as to the nature of what was going on,” he said.

He said the incident demanded, at the very least, that garda HQ should interest themselves in all the characters involved. It demanded the asking of questions, he added.

“To have failed to ask appropriate questions was negligence on the part of Crime and Security,” said Mr Justice Morris. Chief Superintendent Denis Fitzpatrick announced his resignation after being found negligent in relation to the supervision of a series of incidents in Donegal in 1993 and 1994. He was Border superintendent before his promotion to head of the Donegal division in 1994.

It is reported he will receive a €42,500 a year pension, a situation that has been criticised by Labour’s justice spokesman.

“He has just been able to ride into the sunset with a full pension and without any disciplinary procedures,” said Mr Costello.

“There were large question marks surrounding Chief Supt Fitzpatrick’s work practices, and considering the sharp criticism of him in the first report from the tribunal, I think his retirement will be looked upon very poorly.”

Other senior officers are among 19 cited as either corrupt, negligent and obstructive.

Justice Minister Michael McDowell yesterday pledged to remove political influence from transfers and promotions but critics claim his Garda Bill will vest even more power with civil servants and politicians, particularly his own ministry. The minister has been criticised for ruling out an independent policing authority. Mr McDowell has written to Supt Kevin Lennon and is waiting for a reply before making a decision on his future, while garda management has already begun moves to remove Det Garda Noel McMahon.

Meanwhile, Mr McMahon will appear in court on a drink driving charge on September 13.

Mr McMahon, of 83, Foxfield, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan, was charged with drink driving at Carrickmacross District Court in April. He was arrested and charged by Garda Edward Quinlan.