Morris Tribunal: Minister to consider three new reports

Three separate reports on garda corruption in Donegal compiled by the Morris Tribunal were today handed to Justice Minister Michael McDowell.

They concern allegations that officers planted a bomb and gun, attempted to frame a group of Travellers, manufactured a death threat and psychologically tortured two sisters in custody.

It is expected Mr McDowell will consider the reports over the next week before they will be laid before the Oireachtas and made public.

Tribunal Chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris has examined evidence on three controversial incidents.

The Silver Bullet module focused on claims that gardaí arranged for Sligo man Bernard Conlon to make-up a death threat against him and a Detective Sergeant.

It also probed allegations that Mr Conlon was planted in Frank McBrearty’s pub in Raphoe after hours to use him in a licensing prosecution.

A second module concerned claims that gardaí planted a bomb or explosive device on a telecommunications mast near Ardara in order to arrest three locals.

Mr McDowell has the power to apply to the High Court to keep some of the material in the reports private.

It is likely a third report, which details the Burnfoot incident and includes evidence that was heard in private, may not be made available to the public.

The module probed the arrest of seven Travellers after the apparent discovery of a sawn-off shotgun in the village.

It was alleged that gardaí planted the gun there to frame several members of the travelling community.

The report may remain unpublished as one officer, suspended Detective Sergeant John White, is facing a charge of illegal possession of a firearm in relation to the incident.

His lawyers have argued that revealing details of the Burnfoot episode ahead of White’s trial in Donegal would be prejudicial.

Over the last three years, the tribunal has heard evidence on 450 days.

In a statement revealing the reports had been handed over, Mr Justice Morris said he was often asked how much longer the tribunal would go on, but cautioned: “The only answer that I can give is that the tribunal will move as fast it is allowed to move.

“If the persons involved co-operate with the tribunal and provide it with full and true in formation then the work of the tribunal will be very much shorter than if it has to search for the truth.”

The Morris Tribunal has now completed investigations into seven modules concerning garda corruption and negligence in the 1990s in Donegal.

It is currently hearing evidence regarding the arrest and detention of 12 people from the Raphoe area during the botched Richie Barron death probe.

Several of these people are members of the extended McBrearty family.

The final two modules to be heard deal with anonymous allegations of garda corruption among the highest ranked officers in the force and the effectiveness of the Garda Complaints Board and the serious harassment of citizens.