Bruton did call MEP over corruption claims, tribunal told

Former Fine Gael leader John Bruton did call a party colleague telling him to ease off raising the issue of garda corruption in the Dáil, the Morris Tribunal was told today.

A barrister, representing Jim Higgins MEP, said his client was requested to stop making representations for the McBrearty family who claimed they were subjected to a campaign of garda harassment.

Questions raised in the Dáil by Mr Higgins, Fine Gael spokesman on justice at the time, about corruption in Donegal ultimately led to the setting up of the Morris Tribunal.

At the start of today’s hearing, Niall Mooney SC said he wanted put on the record that evidence given by a retired garda earlier in the week was true.

“It has now come to the attention of Mr Higgins that he did on one occasion receive a phone call from Mr Bruton and in the course of that conversation Mr Bruton did in fact request that he ease off his representations on behalf of the McBrearty family,” said Mr Mooney.

“I say that now to, as it were, rectify the fact that you were in fact correct, I think, in what you were saying to the Tribunal.

“I think Mr Higgins would also say though that the telephone conversation didn’t deter him in his efforts, and I think he will be of the view that subsequent events or the evidence that unfolded thereafter demonstrates that point.”

PJ Togher, a former garda and trusted friend of Frank McBrearty Snr, previously told the tribunal that Frank Jnr had said Mr Higgins had told him that John Bruton had made the call.

He maintained he heard that Mr Higgins was told to lay off with the McBreartys, because a member of the Complaints Board in Drogheda or Dundalk had approached Mr Bruton and told him Mr Higgins was causing problems and “would he put a bit of pressure on him to lay off”.

Legal representatives for Mr Higgins yesterday denied any calls were made.

On Wednesday Mr Mooney said: “When he’s in the witness box if he’s asked Mr Higgins will say at no stage did he ever say to Frank McBrearty Jnr that Mr Bruton had contacted him in respect of the McBreartys and asked him to lay off.

“Mr Higgins will say very clearly at no stage did that happen, did Mr Bruton ever approach him in respect of the McBreartys and ask him to lay off”.

Mr Togher, a retired detective garda, denied he drew up a damning fax alleging high level corruption, which Mr McBrearty Snr sent to Mr Higgins.

The shocking yet unproven allegations claimed the internal garda probe into corruption in the ranks in Donegal, headed by Assistant Commissioner Kevin Carty in 1999, was compromised.

It alleged disgraced former Detective John White did the dirty work for Asst Comm. Carty and retired Asst Comm. Tony Hickey when based in Dublin. It claimed he cooked up evidence when the two officers needed a case closed.

No evidence has been found to support these damning accusations.

The tribunal is currently trying to establish the source of the 'Anonymous Allegations' which are totally unsubstantiated and formed the basis for the Morris Tribunal.