Gardaí ‘took nine months to probe set-up claims’

GARDAÍ took nine months to probe claims by a Raphoe man that he was framed for making death threats, the Morris Tribunal into Garda corruption in Donegal heard yesterday.

The tribunal was told a complaint was lodged by Mark McConnell in February 1999, naming several gardaí he claimed had set him up.

But it was not until November of that year, almost nine months later, that a top officer was dispatched to probe the allegations.

Mr McConnell and Michael Peoples were arrested after a Sligo man said he was warned not to give evidence against the McBrearty family, owners of a Raphoe nightclub, over alleged breaches of licensing laws. It was alleged the pair threatened him with a silver bullet.

Solicitors for Mr McConnell wrote to the Garda Complaints Board in February 1999. A four-page, hand-written statement complained about his arrest and detention on October 1, 1998, and named several officers. But it was not until November that Chief Superintendent John Carey from Mayo was asked to follow up the claims.

But the board deemed the complaint constructively dismissed after Mr McConnell refused to back it up with a signed statement.

The tribunal ruled the letter would not be read into the record after disgraced former Superintendent Kevin Lennon and lawyers for Sergeant John White, branded a liar by the inquiry, objected. The pair claimed they would not have the opportunity to defend the allegations.

Detective Garda Dominick Hunt, who interviewed Mr Peoples, said he staunchly denied any part in the alleged intimidation.

The tribunal is probing an alleged tangle of lies around the arrest and detention of Mr McConnell and Mr Peoples. The pair were accused of threatening Bernard Conlon with a silver bullet at a house in Sligo in July 1998. It was alleged one of the men told Conlon “there is one for you and one for [Sgt John] White”.

Mr Conlon eventually admitted the complaint was false and was made at the instigation of Sgt White.

He was convicted of making false statements against Mr McConnell and Mr Peoples. Sgt White was cleared of any wrongdoing.

Later, a garda who served in Raphoe for 18 months from July 1997, denied knowing about a conspiracy to persecute the McBreartys for after-hours drinking.

Garda Noel Keavney said he was not aware Mr Conlon had been planted in the pub by gardaí to act as a witness.

The tribunal was told Conlon was standing at the bar counter at 2.55am with two full pints in front of him.

Mr Conlon has claimed he only went toRaphoe because of arrangements made with Sgt White.