Father of two points out garda he alleges attacked him while in custody

A FATHER-OF-TWO, who claimed he was assaulted while in custody at Letterkenny Garda Station, pointed out, at the Morris Tribunal yesterday, one of the detectives he alleges attacked him.

Detective Garda Martin Anderson stood from his seat at the back of the hearing room as Damien McDaid identified him from the witness box.

Waving his finger, Mr McDaid said: “He is the boy that hit me, he heaved me up the hall.”

Det Anderson was criticised by tribunal chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris in his report into hoax IRA arms dumps set up by disgraced former Superintendent Kevin Lennon.

The judge noted he “could have brought clarity to events by telling the unbridled truth”.

Det Anderson was due to be transferred out of Donegal to Dublin last year, but it is understood he is currently serving around Sligo.

Mr McDaid has claimed an officer spat on his breakfast, that he was made to kneel on the interview room floor and that a burly garda jumped up and down on his feet.

He also alleged that a detective thrust a handgun in his mouth as officers tried to force him to confess to playing a part in the death of Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron.

Det Anderson is the only officer Mr McDaid has been able to identify regarding the allegations of abuse.

But he admitted yesterday that he made no complaint against any gardaí when he was freed. Adding that he did not want to hang around the garda station to complain about mistreatment, he said: “I wanted to get out the door. I wanted out of that f**king hell hole, I just wanted out that door. I was terrified.”

Earlier solicitor Pat McMyler, who visited Mr McDaid while he was in custody, said his client did not say he had been abused.

Mr McMyler said it was often the case that clients did not make a complaint, some, he said, expected to be mistreated.

Mr McMyler said his client appeared able to deal with a tough interview.

Describing Mr McDaid’s attitude during a brief consultation in the station he said: “He was quite macho, I’ll be well able to look after myself, don’t you worry.”

He went on: “Some people, myself included, were I arrested, I would expect a certain amount ... I would expect to be treated with less dignity.”

Mr McMyler said suspects often felt verbal abuse was part and parcel of being in custody.

“It’s whatever we see on ‘The Bill’ I suppose.”