Legal fight looms over tribunal bid for Cabinet document access

A LEGAL battle is brewing over an attempt by the Smithwick Tribunal to force the Government to hand over a confidential Cabinet document.

Judge Peter Smithwick, who is investigating allegations of Garda collusion in the murder of two RUC officers in 1989, is seeking sight of documents prepared for then Justice Minister Gerry Collins immediately after the killings.

The Government has released some of the papers but is withholding one on the grounds that it is protected by cabinet confidentiality as provided for in the Constitution.