Doctor: McBrearty was not suicidal

Dr John McFeely did not think Mr McBrearty was in a suicidal frame of mind when he visited him during his second period in custody.

"I would not have thought he was that desperate, if I'd thought this was sort of a suicidal situation, yes I would have intervened, but I didn't think it was that bad."

Mr McBrearty has already told the inquiry that he was at the end of his tether during the interrogation.

Dr Feely said his patient was "anxious but coherent".

He also examined Mr McBrearty in December after his initial arrest and said he had not examined him for injuries because it had not been mentioned to him.

The tribunal also heard evidence from retired sergeant Michael Brennan, who took part in the December arrest.

He admitted that the suspect's children were upset but said that he tried to reassure them. He denied Mr McBrearty's allegation that police verbally abused his children.

"I reject that totally and utterly, I think it was very offensive of Mr McBrearty to say that," he added.

"I have been in the job a long time, I was very sensitive, I have children of my own and so has Detective Garda Anderson. I totally dispute that."

Detective Garda Anderson also took part in the operation. Mr Brennan added that nobody to his knowledge had told his family that their father was a murderer but added that Mr McBrearty's wife, Patricia, had been upset when they were returned to their Elmwood Downs home in Letterkenny.