Ex-garda fails to appear at tribunal

A former garda accused of intimidating a man wrongly arrested for murder failed to appear to give evidence at the Morris Tribunal today.

Philip Collins – who allegedly called a Donegal dad a 'lying, murdering bastard' - was last year threatened by chairman Judge Frederick Morris with criminal prosecution unless he co-operated with the hearing.

He warned Mr Collins, who complained he been made to attend the hearing under duress on several occasions, to answer questions.

Summons server Michael Foley told the tribunal he met Mr Collins in Eyre Street, Galway, on April 21 and told him to make himself available to be called for the detention sub-module from May 22.

“He just took it and said okay,” said Mr Foley. “His reaction this time was very pleasant. He knew what I was talking about and accepted it.

“I called down again on May 10 but he wasn’t there. I tried to locate him but was unable to.”

Judge Morris requested Mr Collins – who resigned from An Garda Síochana in 2004 – be found during the summer break to give evidence when the tribunal resumes in September.

Michael Peoples, from Raphoe, was arrested on December 4, 1996, for the murder of cattle dealer Richie Barron.

He was accused of assisting prime suspects – Frank McBrearty Jnr and Mark McConnell – by helping them wash their clothes after the killing.

It was also thought suspicious that a phone call was made from his house to the hospital enquiring about Mr Barron’s condition on the night he died. The call had been made by Mr Peoples’ mother-in-law, who was a distant relative of the deceased.

It was later found that Mr Barron, a cattle dealer from the village, was a hit-and-run victim. No-one has ever been charged with his death.

The father-of-one maintains he was repeatedly verbally abused in the back of a patrol car and during his 12-hour detention at Lifford Garda Station by Det Insp Michael Keane and Garda Philip Collins.

DI Keane has previously denied the allegations.

Mr Peoples was arrested again on May 6, 1999, and interrogated for two days following fabricated statements made by Bernard Conlon falsely identifying him as one of two men who threatened him with a silver bullet if he gave evidence in a licensing case against the McBreartys.

He told the tribunal that on the second day he was put in an identity parade with no shoelaces, belt and unshaven, and Mr Conlon picked him out. The case was later dropped by prosecutors.

Sergeant Dermot Flannery said the ID parade had been organised in good faith with eight men taking part, all from different walks of life.

“Mr Conlon looked at the parade briefly and picked Mr Peoples,” he added. “He appeared very genuine.”

The Morris Tribunal is currently investigating claims some 12 people arrested and detained in connection with the death were threatened and abused during garda interviews.

Many of those have outlined a catalogue of systematic abuses including being shown graphic post mortem pictures, name calling and assaults, while one man said a handgun was shoved in his mouth.