Garda probe evidence ‘almost farcical’

GARDA evidence to the Morris Tribunal has often been close to farcical, the on-going corruption claims probe was told yesterday.

Paul Murray, counsel for alleged IRA informer Adrienne McGlinchey, claimed two other central figures, Detective Superintendent Kevin Lennon and Detective Garda Noel McMahon, had lied to the tribunal.

Delivering his final submission to the tribunal investigating garda operations in Co Donegal during the 1990s, Mr Murray said: “Unfortunately... many gardaí gave evidence which was less than truthful and candid, and which, at times, bordered on the farcical.”

The current phase of the tribunal centres on claims that the two detectives, Mr Lennon and Mr McMahon, with Ms McGlinchey, prepared explosives during the 1990s that later turned up in bogus arms finds.

Both officers have denied the allegations, while Ms McGlinchey, of Letterkenny, has insisted she was neither an informer nor a member of the IRA.

The tribunal also heard of concerns within the Garda Representative Association (GRA) over evidence given by senior officers.

Lawyer Tom Murphy said yesterday that GRA members felt garda management had to be more accountable for their actions.