Ex-detective recalls concern over explosives find

Concern and confusion over a reported find of terrorist material in Co Donegal nearly a decade ago were detailed today at the continuing Morris Tribunal probe of Garda corruption allegations.

Retired detective James Leheny recalled that the discovery of around 14 stones of suspected explosives in Letterkenny had been viewed by him as a “McGlinchey production” – one involving alleged IRA informer Adrienne McGlinchey.

Two holdalls and three cardboard boxes of ground fertiliser were uncovered near a sweet factory in Letterkenny in June 1994, according to a telex sent from the Co Donegal town to Garda headquarters in Dublin.

Mr Leheny said that based on a note he received from currently suspended Detective Superintendent Kevin Lennon – one of the key figures in the present tribunal investigation – he had been left in no doubt that the superintendent, then holding the rank of inspector, was fully aware of everything in relation to the finds.

He said, too, that he reckoned Garda PJ Thornton, who made the find, and gave evidence to the Morris inquiry last month, was “confused or put into a position, which he now finds himself in, that he cannot talk his way out of it”.

The ex-sergeant also said he had been “concerned” at the role of another officer, Garda Martin Leonard, in the find.

Mr Leheny remembered the affair as he completed giving evidence to the tribunal after six days.

He repeatedly told the inquiry of his belief that Ms McGlinchey was not a member of the IRA and not a reliable source of information about terrorist activities in the area, citing her unusual behaviour at the time of the events now under examination.

He reported the insistence of IRA sources that the Letterkenny woman – a central figure in the tribunal investigation was not in their organisation. And told, as well, of annoyance on the part of a number of detectives that Ms McGlinchey was never charged with any offence, despite being often detained in possession of suspect terrorist-linked items.

Today he said the Letterkenny haul of explosives was not compatible with the Provisional IRA for a number of reasons.

The materials discovered had been stored in clear plastic bags, while the IRA invariably used beer kegs or oil drums to store explosives.

The tribunal – chaired by former High Court President Mr Justice Frederick Morris – is currently examining a range of allegations about garda operations in Co Donegal during the 1990s, claiming that Kevin Lennon, together with the also now-suspended Detective Garda Noel McMahon and Ms McGlinchey, prepared explosives for subsequent use in false garda arms finds.

The two officers have both denied those claims, and Ms McGlinchey has insisted that she was never an informer.

Garda Tom Lynch said he had been in a patrol when Ms McGlinchey was arrested after being found carrying a shopping bag containing bullets in Buncrana.

Her subsequent interview at the local garda station had proved difficult because Ms McGlinchey had been “very jovial about the matter”.

He added: “She was in convulsions of laughter.”

His partner on patrol on the night in question later intimated to him that there would be no case and that Ms McGlinchey had been giving information to the detective branch.

The inquiry recently returned to the explosives dimension of the allegations against the gardai 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 other areas are also 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 opened earlier this year, and, in all, the investigation is expected to go on for at least two years.