Former garda chief denies corruption cover-up

THE former Assistant Garda Commissioner who investigated Tom Gilmartin's corruption allegations 15 years ago has denied there was a garda cover-up, the Mahon Tribunal into Certain Planning Matters and Payments was told yesterday.

Hugh Sreenan was called to give evidence in the wake of serious allegations made by Mr Gilmartin. He told the Tribunal yesterday that he had three telephone conversations with Mr Gilmartin in March, 1989.

However, despite general talk about demands for money, Mr Gilmartin refused to name names, saying he was afraid of libel.

George Redmond was already being investigated for corruption by the then Assistant Commissioner, who had details of Mr Gilmartin's allegations against Mr Redmond.

Liam Lawlor was another person that could be identified as the blackmailer getting £3,500 a month from Arlington, and Mr Sreenan said this was also the man Mr Gilmartin says demanded £5 million.

Mr Sreenan said that both Arlington Executives and a Dublin garage owner denied allegations that Mr Lawlor had made demands.

He admitted under questioning by Judge Gerard Keys that the fact that Mr Lawlor was a sitting TD was a factor in the gardaí’s decision.

However, he strenuously denied there was a cover-up, saying that the climate at the time was that people with knowledge of corruption were not willing to come forward.

Mr Sreenan said Mr Gilmartin claimed to have been told by people in political quarters to keep his mouth shut. However, Mr Sreenan also said Mr Gilmartin never complained to him about an alleged telephone call from a Garda Burns telling him to go back to England.

The garda investigation was finalised in May, 1990, and decided that Mr Lawlor had emerged with his good reputation unscathed.