Gardaí were biased in policing pubs, says former Senator

A former Senator today claimed gardaí were biased in policing pubs in Co Donegal.

Sean Maloney, a retired Labour Party representative and psychiatric nurse, told the Morris Tribunal nightspots owned by Fianna Fáil supporters or members were treated differently than others.

Mr Maloney, who was also a town and county councillor for around 10 years, claimed several bars in Letterkenny served after hours.

“I always felt that there was a close connection between unfortunately the gardaí and the Fianna Fáil party in Letterkenny,” he said.

“They were never too sore at them because if we raised too many issues in relation to them at council meetings we were told that we were giving the town a bad name, so let’s not go too deeply into that type of situation.”

But Mr Maloney told the inquiry it was not a case of gardaí turning a blind eye. He said gardai usually gave more leeway to pubs if they believed they were well run.

The former Senator was giving evidence in relation to the alleged harassment and intimidation of Raphoe publican Frank McBrearty Senior.

Mr McBrearty claims he was systematically targeted by gardai over licensing breaches.

Mr Maloney said there was a different culture in Donegal regarding drink than elsewhere in the country. He said attitudes were more relaxed with many pubs serving after hours.

In February 1997, Senator Maloney wrote to Justice Minister Mrs Nora Owen about Mr McBrearty, saying the publican alleged continual harassment of his family and that he had been singled out. He also raised policing matters in Donegal in the Seanad.

The hearing continues.