McBrearty applies for legal costs

Frank McBrearty Jnr, the publican framed for a murder that never was, today applied for the taxpayer to foot his family’s massive legal bill.

Lawyers for the Morris Tribunal revealed they had received a written submisssion from the Raphoe man to cover legal bills for hundreds of hours work with the inquiry.

Mr Justice Frederick Morris, whose damning second report detailed negligence, corruption and a web of deceit among officers of all ranks said he would not stand in the way of the application.

“It is regrettable that it has not been possible for them to attend here for them to move the application,” Judge Morris said.

“You would want to have been living on the moon over the last months or so to not know that this is an extremely live issue.”

Judge Morris said the payment of fees had been a matter of grave concern for the McBrearty’s for some time.

“I have no doubt that he makes that point perfectly validly,” he said.

“I think it would be quite wrong for me to stand on some form of procedural technicality to decline to entertain this application for costs.”

Judge Morris said he would treat the written application in the same manner as if it had been moved orally.

The chairman reserved his judgment on the application but said a ruling would be handed down by the end of the week.