Morris refuses to request extension of terms

The chairman of the Morris Tribunal has refused to ask the Dail for an extension of the terms of reference of his inquiry into alleged garda corruption in Donegal.

The request was made by Frank McBrearty Snr, whose extended family is at the centre of garda harassment allegations.

Mr McBrearty has refused to co-operate with the inquiry unless its terms are extended to include an investigation of the actions of the Garda Commissioner, the Justice Minister, the Attorney General and the State Solicitor in Donegal.

He has said he is willing to go to jail for refusing to co-operate unless his demands are met.

Speaking at the Tribunal today, Justice Frederick Morris said all witnesses called before the inquiry have a moral, civic and legal duty to give evidence unconditionally.

He added that nobody should believe that they could coerce him through threats of non-co-operation.

Justice Morris added, however, that if a submission based on material evidence is made, he will consider seeking an extension of the terms of reference, but at the moment, he did not see it as appropriate.

On the issue of costs, he said he sympathised with the burden the Tribunal would represent for the McBrearty family, but had no power to remedy the problem.

Earlier this week, Frank McBrearty Snr, a publican from Raphoe in Co Donegal who claims members of his family were harassed in relation to the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron in 1996, said the Taoiseach had promised him that the Government would extend the terms of reference of the Morris Tribunal if Justice Morris made such a request to the Dail.

However, when Fine Gael tabled a motion calling for this extension, the Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats coalition voted it down.

Mr McBrearty subsequently asked Justice Morris to make an official request to the Dail and force the Taoiseach to honour his promise, but the judge ruled out any such move today.

This effectively means the Tribunal will continue without the support of the people who campaigned for years to have it established.