Call to probe garda lobbying of politicians

FRANK MCBREARTY Senior yesterday called for an investigation into claims that a member of the Garda Complaints Board lobbied politicians highlighting victimisation in Donegal.

Mr McBrearty Snr asked the Morris Tribunal for a separate module on allegations of an approach made to former Fine Gael leader John Bruton to tell his justice spokesman to ease off making representations for the McBrearty family.

Mr McBrearty Snr said he had written a letter to Jim Higgins MEP in 2001 naming the member concerned and had supplied a copy of the letter to the tribunal.

Mr Higgins, Fine Gael’s former justice spokesperson, said he did not recall this and did not know the name of the individual.

He previously told the inquiry that Mr Bruton, Taoiseach from 1994-1997, had asked him to ease off on the case after he was approached by a member of the Garda complains board.

Mr McBrearty Snr said the allegation against the board member was as bad as the 61 complaints of harassment against the family.

“Should not that be in a module of its own Jim?” he asked.

“I think it is most undesirable that anybody should approach Mr Bruton, whether it is a Garda or a member of the Garda Complaints Board, to ask me to ease off,” said Mr Higgins.