Murder suspect told he would lose child, tribunal told

A murder suspect was threatened that his child would be taken into care during a botched death probe, it was claimed today.

Mark McConnell feared for his 15-month-old son if he and his wife Roisin had been jailed for murder, the Morris Tribunal heard.

The 35-year-old was detained twice at Letterkenny Garda Station during an inquiry in to the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron.

Gardaí believed he and Frank McBrearty Jnr had killed the Raphoe man. It was later ruled Mr Barron was the victim of a hit-and-run.

“They did tell me that the child would be put into care when I would be charged and convicted of the murder of Richie Barron,” said Mr McConnell.

“At that stage I knew my wife was in custody too and they had given me the impression that we were both going to be charged and they told me the child would be taken into care.”

Anthony Barr, SC for the tribunal, asked who had made the threat.

“It was a general feature the whole day,” he replied. “Nearly every interview consisted of some kind of threat towards the child.”

It was during this first arrest in December 1996, Mr McConnell alleges he was intimidated, physically assaulted, abused, sworn at and shown graphic autopsy photographs.

He also alleges gardai statements and some custody records had been fabricated and that his car was seized and forensically examined without permission.

Mr McConnell said he was shocked, distressed and angry when arrested a second time in June 1997, although he had not been assaulted or abused.

“They told me to make a statement,” he said. “That they knew I didn’t kill Richie Barron but if I made a statement outlining Frank Jnr’s involvement in it they would do a deal with me.”

Mr Barr highlighted how some of Mr McConnell’s complaints raised during the tribunal had not appeared in his legal case against the state, despite all his allegations being well documented to his own solicitor soon after his arrest.

“There’s stuff left out of that statement of claim that solely lies at my solicitor,” he said.

“I didn’t take any part in drawing them up or nothing. They were in Dublin and I was in Donegal, plus the fact that my wife was seriously ill.

“All my complaints were well known by everybody. I said it from day one and I keep saying it.”

Gardaí deny the allegations.