Garda 'invented' discussion on corruption

A SENIOR garda officer invented details of a meeting in which he was allegedly briefed about garda corruption, the Morris Tribunal heard yesterday.

Buncrana solicitor Paudge Dorrian told the tribunal he had no recollection of the meeting and rejected claims he had revealed details of serious garda misconduct.

Mr Dorrian began his evidence before the Easter break, but was recalled after refusing to disclose the subject of meetings he held with Chief Superintendent Denis Fitzpatrick five years ago.

Mr Dorrian revealed yesterday that they concerned his possible appointment as a judge.

The veteran solicitor claimed he had never personally instigated the final meeting with the senior officer in late March, 1999.

"I have no recollection of ever contacting Chief Supt Fitzpatrick," he said.

Senior counsel Michael Durack, representing the garda commissioner and senior officers, including Chief Supt Fitzpatrick, said his client's position was that there was "ancillary chit chat" about garda misbehaviour at the meeting.

"My position is that the chief superintendent invented it," said Mr Dorrian. "And for what reason I don't know."

The inquiry also heard evidence from Garda Representative Association chief executive PJ Stone.

He expressed concern that when Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty and his team launched their internal investigation into the Donegal division, the focus was on lower-ranking members.

"People in Donegal of my rank had great suspicion ... they had no difficulty about Mr Carty's investigation, but they had concerns that everybody wasn't the subject of the investigation," he said.

The first module of the Morris Tribunal, which began over a year ago, is expected to be completed by the end of next week.

The probe, headed by retired High Court president Mr Justice Frederick Morris, has been investigating allegations of garda corruption in Donegal during the1990s.

Garda Noel McMahon and detective colleague Superintendent Kevin Lennon have both denied that, together with alleged informed Adrienne McGlinchey, they prepared explosives for use in bogus garda arms finds.

Ms McGlinchey, who is from Letterkenny, has insisted she was never either an informer or a member of the IRA.