Sacked superintendent blamed for corruption probe

A retired head of the Donegal garda division today said he blamed sacked superintendent Kevin Lennon for the events that led to the Morris Tribunal.

However former chief superintendent Denis Fitzpatrick, who resigned from the force last summer, also said others should carry responsibility for alleged garda corruption in the north-west in the mid-1990s.

Chief Supt Fitzpatrick today said of Lennon: “I’d say he’s to blame, yes, but I don’t think he’s the only one. I’m not going to narrow it down to just Kevin Lennon.”

The witness was speaking during his first day of evidence at the Morris Tribunal, which has resumed after the Christmas recess for its 268th day of evidence.

Chief Supt Fitzpatrick added that “consequential things would not have occurred” if information that Lennon and others had in their possession was disclosed at garda conferences during the murder investigation of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron.

Justice Frederick Morris heard today that some of Chief Supt Fitzpatrick’s evidence on national security intelligence matters would be held in camera later this week.

Chief Supt Fitzpatrick retired early from the Gardaí last summer after he was criticised in the first Morris Tribunal report.

Lennon had earlier been dismissed from the force by the Garda Commissioner.