Morris Tribunal told of 'non-existent' file

A former detective today told the Morris Tribunal into Garda corruption how he was asked by a central figure in the probe to take responsibility for a non-existent file on an explosives find.

Retired Sergeant Des Walsh said the approach was made after he had retired by currently suspended Superintendent Kevin Lennon.

“He told me he was under pressure for disciplinary reasons, but did not explain any more. I think he was being disciplined for not investigating and he asked me to take responsibility.

“He said he was under severe pressure and was the subject of discipline. I suppose it was to take pressure off him.”

The incident was related to a find of explosive-making materials and other items at a flat in Buncrana occupied almost a decade ago by key tribunal witness Adrienne McGlinchey.

Asked by tribunal counsel Paul McDermott whether there had ever been a file connected to Kevin Lennon’s request, Mr Walsh replied: “No, I never had one. There was none.

“The superintendent did not ask me to pretend there was a file, but to take responsibility for it. I don’t really know what the pressure was on him, it must have been a combination of things.

“He just said he was being disciplined on this matter. I knew there was no file. I think I may have been used. I regret to say that.”

The tribunal, established by the Dail to investigate a series of allegations of improper garda activity in Co Donegal during the 1990s, is currently looking into claims that Superintendent Lennon, together with Detective Garda Noel McMahon, who is also suspended, and Ms McGlinchey, prepared explosives that were later planted and then discovered in bogus garda finds of terrorist arms.

Both officers have refuted the allegations and Ms McGlinchey has denied ever being in the IRA or passing information about that organisation to the gardai.

Mr Walsh, who was in charge of the garda search of Ms McGlinchey’s flat today said he had not interviewed her afterwards.

Instead, he gave the job to Detective McMahon, one of Ms McGlinchey’s “handlers” while she was allegedly relaying information about the IRA to gardai.

After the discovery at the flat, Ms McGlinchey was arrested on suspicion of being a member of an illegal organisation – and subsequently released without being charged.

Mr Walsh, who has made it clear to the corruption inquiry that he did not believe Ms McGlinchey was in the IRA, said: “I regarded her only as an informant.”

He added that “rightly or wrongly” he had left the interviewing of the suspect to Detective McMahon, and one of the reasons was because of the directive to apply a “hands-off” approach to Ms McGlinchey and her flatmate Yvonne Devine, even though explosives components and other items were found in their possession.

Mr Walsh reported: “I decided not to get involved and that she should be interviewed by Detective Garda McMahon. I felt that in view of the hands-off policy.

“Maybe I made a mistake, but I did not get involved.”