Gardaí accused of Barron murder

TWO gardaí accused of killing Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron could be forced to appear before the Morris Tribunal investigating alleged police corruption in Donegal relative to that murder and other events.

The two were accused of the 1996 killing by a garda informant yesterday on the first day of the Tribunal’s hearings.

It also emerged last night the two gardaí are still on the force. Previously they refused to co-operate with the Garda’s own Carty inquiry into the circumstances of Mr Barron’s death and allegations of corruption. A Garda spokesperson said the force would not make any comment on the murder claims at this stage.

The accusation of garda involvement in Richie Barron’s death came on an explosive opening day of the inquiry. The Morris Tribunal is expected to sit for two years.

Peter Charleton SC said it may be necessary for the Tribunal chairman, Mr Justice Frederick Morris, to try to force the two gardaí and others to answer questions.

“We do not believe it is to be benefit of An Garda Siochana that people, when confronted by superior officers, are apparently allowed to remain silent. The law as to the right of silence does not give people a blanket opportunity to simply refuse to answer questions. This is all the more so in the context of a force...potentially armed with lethal weapons and organised with the structure of military discipline.”

The allegation that two gardaí killed Mr Barron was made in a statement by an alleged IRA mole, Adrienne McGlinchey, who claimed she was told this by her handler, Detective Garda Noel McMahon.

The tribunal also heard allegations that Det Gda McMahon and his

superior officer, Superintendent Kevin Lennon were involved in a plot with Ms McGlinchey to ‘plant’ materials such as fertiliser and other materials that, it would be assumed, belonged to the Provisional IRA.

This was done, it is alleged, to enhance the career prospects of the two gardaí. Both deny the allegations and have made extensive rebuttal statements.

Ms McGlinchey has been described, in statements to the Carty inquiry, as a “Walter Mitty character” and a “bit of a looney”. There was deep scepticism in the community over her reputation as an IRA member.

The tribunal also heard a claim Det Gda McMahon held a loaded and primed Smith and Wesson handgun just yards from the face of another garda, Seamus Gordon, in Buncrana Garda Station.

Det Garda Michael Galvin told the Tribunal the incident happened in the presence of two other gardaí, including the then-Inspector Lennon. Det Garda Galvin recalled Insp Lennon saying something like “Mac, put away that gun” or “stop messing around with that gun”. Det Gda McMahon’s denies the claims.

Gda Gordon said: “During the time the gun was pointed at me I was in fear and I later learned the gun had been loaded with bullets and this caused me greater anxiety over the coming weeks and months.” He said no-one in authority was ever approached about the incident.