Detective recalls 'unusual' behaviour of IRA suspect

A detective remembered today the unusual behaviour displayed by a female IRA suspect in Co Donegal more than 10 years ago.

Detective Garda Noel Jones told the Morris Tribunal into garda corruption allegations that he knew of the tendency of suspect Adrienne McGlinchey to do “odd things” – like jumping over walls and “ducking and diving” to hide from approaching squad cars in the town of Buncrana.

He said Ms McGlinchey’s actions did not alter his view that she might have had something to do with the IRA, but admitted that he had never experienced that type of behaviour from someone he regarded as a potential suspect.

Accepting that there were differing views about Ms McGlinchey among the Buncrana-based gardaí, Detective Garda Jones added: “If she had been my contact, I would definitely have put it on the line to her about her indiscretion.

“It was not normal, what she was at, and you would wonder about her credibility. She was an identifiable individual and easily spotted on the main street. I would not have expected to see her carrying an armalite.

“Her manner did not satisfy me that she was the real thing. You would not pay the same attention to her.”

The detective was giving evidence at the tribunal’s continuing investigation of allegations against gardai in Co Donegal in the 1990s claiming that alleged IRA informer Ms McGlinchey, together with Detective Garda Noel McMahon and Detective Superintendent Kevin Lennon – both currently suspended – mixed explosives that were later used in bogus garda finds of terrorist arms.

The two officers have denied those claims, and Ms McGlinchey has maintained she was never an IRA informer.

The inquiry, chaired by former High Court President Mr Justice Frederick Morris, recently returned to the explosives dimension of the allegations against the gardaí after a gap of four months.

In the meantime, the tribunal has looked into separate allegations, centring on controversy over the mystery roadside death in Donegal seven years ago of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron. That module of the process has now been adjourned until the New Year, and others are due to be dealt with later.

The tribunal was put in place by the Oireachtas almost two years ago to inquire into a wide-ranging series of claims about improper garda activities in the Co Donegal division.

The proceedings began earlier this year, and, in all, the investigation is expected to go on for at least two years.