Garda blames fellow officer for implicating him over statement

A detective sergeant today alleged another garda was casting him in a shady light before the Morris Tribunal due to a grievance.

Det Sgt John White, who was a uniform sergeant in Donegal at the time of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron’s death in October 1996, claimed that Det Sgt Hugh Smith was implicating him over a witness statement.

The detective sergeant, who is currently on sick leave from the force, also alleged that Det Sgt Smith had come out to search his house at Drennan, Ballybofey on the June 19, 2001 as part of the Carty investigation after complaints were made.

Det Sgt White alleged that the officers contravened normal garda procedures and would not allow him stay in the house with his children while it was searched.

“They stole a huge amount of documents from my office in the back,” Det Sgt White said.

“The whole thing is jiggery pokery in my estimation,” Det Sgt White said. “There is a grievance against me from Det Sgt Smith.”

A solicitor for Det Sgt Smith, Ms Sean Quinn (correct), said she knew nothing of these allegations that were being made. She added that these scenarios had not been put to Det Sgt Smith while he was in the witness box.

Det Sgt White’s allegations over the statement surrounds the informer William Doherty bringing a key witness Noel McBride, who then implicated members of the McBrearty family in the death, to give information in a garda station on July 7, 1997.

“I certainly didn’t bring them to the station,” Det Sgt White said.

Mr McBride’s statement was later withdrawn and he accused Mr Doherty of putting him up to giving the evidence.

Peter Charleton, SC for the tribunal, said that Det Sgt Smith’s case was that the statement from Mr McBride needed to be checked immediately, however, he claimed Det Sgt White’s attitude was not to do that.

“There is almost an inference there that I stopped them carrying out an investigation. That is nothing short of ridiculous, “ said Det Sgt White.

He added: “They are trying to put this over on me Mr Charleton in some way.”

Det Sgt White said it would not have been his attitude to attempt to cover things up in relation to a witness telling lies. He said the reason Det Sgt Smith carried out the interview with Mr McBride was that it would have been seen as a uniform garda interfering if he had done it.

Judge Frederick Morris asked: “Why are they casting you in a shady light in this statement?”

Det Sgt White said it was a reprisal for a complaint he lodged surrounding the informer, Mr Doherty, and an incident with his car.

He claimed the informer was allegedly asked by gardai to make a false statement about the detective sergeant in return for retrieving his car from the officers without paying any fines.

“There is a lot of bad feeling,” Det Sgt White said.

Judge Morris said: “If these allegations are correct they are extraordinarily serious.”