McBrearty shows off damages cheque

Frank McBrearty Jr displayed a copy of a cheque for €1.5m, which he received from the Garda Síochána in settlement of his long-running action, outside the High Court in Dublin today.

Mr McBrearty and his wife Patricia were sent the cheque, dated September 15 last, under the terms of settlement of his long-running action against the gardaí and the State for wrongful and false arrest and malicious prosecution in late 1996 by gardaí investigating the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron.

The hearing had been due to open today before the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan, and go on for six weeks. Last month, it was announced that the action had been settled for €1.5m.

When the case came before the judge today, he was told by Mr Martin Giblin SC, for Mr McBrearty, that it had been settled and could be struck out on consent.

Mr McBrearty was in court for the brief mention of the proceedings. Later, he said that while this action had been settled, other actions arising from the incidents involving Mr Barron had still

to come before the courts.

It was claimed by Mr McBrearty Jr that he was wrongfully arrested at 9.15 am on December 4, 1996, while taking his children to school.

He was also wrongfully arrested on suspicion of involvement in the murder of Mr Barron and detained under the provisions of section four of the Criminal Justice Act, he claimed. He claimed there was no bona fide suspicion to justify his arrest and detention.

Mr McBrearty Jr also claimed that his children and his vehicle were left behind at the scene of his arrest.

He was handcuffed, placed in a a Garda car and taken from the scene of arrest to Letterkenny Garda Station. While in custody, he claimed, he was threatened, intimidated

and assaulted.