Sergeant denies 'whitewashing' custody records

A garda sergeant today denied that he "whitewashed" custody records on seven men who were detained after gardaí raided a suspected Continuity IRA meeting at a house in Limerick.

Sgt Michael Gallagher, Henry Street, also denied claims that one accused, Christopher Dunne, sustained injuries during his arrest and arrived at Henry Street with an abrasion on his face, a cut lip and bloodied clothes.

Cross examined by Ms Grainne McMorrow SC for Mr Dunne, Sergeant Gallagher said he saw no visible signs of injury but agreed that the accused had requested a doctor.

Counsel put it to the witness that her client arrived at the station in a considerable amount of distress to which, she claimed, Sergeant Gallagher paid scant regard.

Counsel further claimed that the custody records compiled by the sergeant omitted to show this.

"You were going to whitewash" the records, Ms McMorrow suggested.

"I do not agree with that My Lords" Sergeant Gallagher replied.

Counsel put it to the witness that Mr Dunne was "in such pain and discomfort" that he was forced to press his face against the cell door to lower the swelling.

"He had no visible injuries and at all times I visited him he was in good form," the witness said.

Mr Brendan Nix SC for the accused Joseph (Tiny) Lynch then put it to Sergeant Gallagher that his client was verbally abused and threatened by arresting gardaí.

Mr Lynch had made a complaint alleging that a detective blamed him on shooting people "in the back" and that he was a member of the IRA.

Mr Lynch's complaint read out in court also alleged that if he did not incriminate himself "Superintendent Maguire would make sure I got no bail when I went to court."

Chief Superintendent Gerard Kelly gave evidence earlier in the trial that in his opinion, each of the seven accused was a member of an unlawful organisation on December 17 2001.

The state's case is that the unlawful organisation in question is the Continuity IRA.

Each of the seven accused have pleaded not guilty to a charge that on December 17, 2001, within the State, they were members of an unlawful organisation styling itself the Irish Republican Army, otherwise the IRA, otherwise Oglaigh na hEireann.

They are Des Long, aged 62, Vice President of Republican Sinn Fein, of Shannon Banks, Limerick, Patrick Kenneally, aged 58, of Crusheen, Co Clare, Patrick O' Shea, aged 54, of Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick, Gerard ``Ger'' Brommell, aged 43, of Rostura Crescent, Woodview Park, Limerick, Robert McNamara, aged 59, of St Michael's Avenue, Tipperary, Joseph ''Tiny'' Lynch, aged 61, of Beechgrove Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick and Christopher Dunne, aged 28, of Donnellan Buildings, Rosbrien, Limerick.