Garda thought suspect had signed murder confession

A senior garda involved in a botched murder investigation in Donegal believed a confession had been signed by the prime suspect.

Detective Sergeant Gerard McGrath said Frank McBrearty Jr told him that he had already made a statement to two other members from Dublin.

He told the Morris Tribunal that Mr McBrearty was explosive and difficult to question throughout his detention.

“When I opened up and formally cautioned and advised him of the murder under investigation he was very abusive towards us,” he said.

“He exploded into us. We let him rant and stood back.

“He also said: ’I have made a statement to the other two and that’s all I’m going to say.’”

Mr McBrearty Jr was arrested for the murder of Richie Barron in front of two of his four children as he drove them to school on December 4, 1996.

Gardaí believed he and his cousin Mark McConnell had killed the cattle dealer two months earlier.

It was later ruled Mr Barron was the victim of a hit-and-run. No-one has ever been charged in relation to his death.

Mr McBrearty Jr, who had always disputed signing a confession, now claims he may have been tricked into putting his signature to it.

Four handwriting experts confirmed at the tribunal last month that the confession, written by a garda, had been signed by Mr McBrearty Jr.

On the statement, it is alleged Mr McBrearty Jr hit Mr Barron over the head with a stick.

Mr McBrearty Jr was held at Letterkenny Garda Station for 12 hours.

During that time he claimed he was tortured, accusing gardaí of hitting and slapping him, poking him with a pen and showing him graphic autopsy pictures of blood pouring out of Mr Barron’s head.

Gardaí deny the allegations.

The Morris Tribunal, which is investigating Garda corruption in Donegal, is currently hearing claims some 12 people, many related to the McBrearty family, were interrogated, intimidated and abused during the death probe.