Final McBrearty charges withdrawn

The last remaining charges against the McBrearty family circle in Donegal,

arising from the alleged Garda corruption scandal, have been withdrawn by

the State.

The development paves the way for the commencement of High Court

proceedings. The charges against two local men from Raphoe were withdrawn at the District Court in Letterkenny.

Altogether more than 200 charges have now been dropped by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Local Businessman Frank McBrearty has claimed that some Gardai attempted to frame members of his family circle for the murder of local cattle dealer

Richie Barron in 1996. The fall out from the alleged scandal has already led

to the biggest ever internal Garda inquiry.

Following today’s conclusion to the so-called summonses saga lawyers for the

family said the State was not in a position to ‘hold its head high’.