Expenses probe garda denies suppression of evidence

A garda superintendent drafted in to investigate false expenses claims in the Donegal division today denied vital evidence was covered up in a conspiracy to frame a junior officer.

Superintendent John McKeon insisted he did not suppress information given to him by a colleague in order to sink suspended Detective Sergeant John White.

The Supt admitted at the Morris Tribunal that he failed to flag up information that may have prevented the stitch up. He said it may have been an oversight on his part.

But under lengthy cross examination he denied being responsible for a catalogue of oversights which led to Det Sgt White standing trial and being condemned by his colleagues.

“There’s no intention whatsoever, that was not the intention,” the Supt said.

When pressed by Det Sgt White’s lawyer, John Whelan SC, that he had suppressed vital evidence on the Silver Bullet affair and investigations into false expenses claims he said: “None whatsoever chairman.”

In Letterkenny Circuit Court last January Det Sgt White was cleared of perverting the course of justice and making false statements.

During the trial Sligo man Bernard Conlon revealed he had been fed information by gardaí including details of 33 court hearings when he acted as state witness in liquor licensing prosecutions against the McBrearty family.

Mr Conlon was also the man allegedly threatened at his home with a Silver Bullet.

Earlier, Supt McKeon denied feeding a witness information and coaching him through statements in order to set up suspended Detective Sergeant John White.

But Supt McKeon admitted at the Morris Tribunal that chunks of statements from Sligo man Bernard Conlon where riddled with garda speak.

The Supt denied coaxing Mr Conlon to help him recall court hearings or details of expenses claims as part of a wider conspiracy: “It wasn’t in my case, chairman.”

But under tough cross examination the Supt admitted sections of the statements had more than just Mr Conlon’s own words.

“When you are taking the statement a lot of garda speak does come into it,” the Supt told the inquiry.

Det Sgt White’s lawyer, John Whelan SC, challenged the Supt: “Supplying the details Superintendent.”

But Supt McKeon hit back insisting: “There was no conspiracy here on my behalf.”

The Supt had been seconded from a neighbouring district to probe false expenses claims amounting to €2,113 filed by Det Sgt White on behalf of Mr Conlon.