Morris reports cleared for publication

The latest findings from the Morris Tribunal into garda corruption in Co Donegal will now be published soon after a related criminal trial finished today.

Detective Sergeant John White, who appeared as a witness before the state inquiry, was today found not guilty of planting a sawn-off shotgun near a Travellers' site in Burnfoot Donegal in May 1998.

The publication of the third, fourth and fifth reports of the Morris Tribunal had been postponed by the High Court as they may have prejudiced the trial at Letterkenny Circuit Court.

Minister for Justice Michael McDowell will now return to the High Court to seek a direction regarding the publication of the findings.

The tribunal is investigating the death of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron on a roadside in 1996.

Mr McDowell’s spokesman said tonight: “The reports were received on May 10 but, because of a danger of possible prejudice to the criminal trial, the minister applied to the High Court for directions regarding their publication in accordance with the provisions of the Instrument establishing the Tribunal and section 3 of the Tribunal of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act, 2002.

“The matter came before the President of the High Court on 23 May who ordered that publication be prohibited until further Order of the Court directs. Now that the criminal trial has taken place it is appropriate to re-apply to the Court.

“Subject to the direction of the Court and the views of the Attorney General and Director of Public Prosecutions, it is the minister’s intention to lay the reports before both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.”

The reports relate to the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of Mark McConnell in October 1998 and Michael Peoples in May 1999.

They also cover the Garda investigation of an arson attack on a telecommunications site at Ardara in October/November 1996.

The arrest and detention of seven people at Burnfoot in May, 1998 is also included.