Ex-Garda 'not to blame' for publican's non-appearance

A former Garda sergeant today insisted he was not to blame for Donegal publican Frank McBrearty Snr refusing to give evidence at the Morris Tribunal.

John White claimed the nightclub boss failed to show up at the hearing on Tuesday because he had got away with not co-operating with the inquiry in the past.

As the publican should have been taking the witness box he contacted Tribunal counsel to indicate he was finished with the tribunal.

He said he was annoyed and frustrated that the tribunal’s legal team did not prevent Mr White from making remarks about him the previous day, which later appeared in local and national media outlets.

He claimed they caused distressed for him and his family.

As Mr White began to defend himself at the hearing, Tribunal Chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris warned him not to make any derogatory remarks.

“Mr McBrearty was blaming me for it and I don’t want to receive the blame for him not coming in to the tribunal,” said the disgraced garda, who was sacked from the force last year.

Mr McBrearty Snr, who recently won almost €4.5m in damages from the state, has continuously complained that he cannot afford legal representation at the tribunal in case he was not awarded costs.

He last gave evidence to the inquiry last summer and, due to stress, was listed to be questioned during each morning session this week.

Mr White said the publican made accusations against a number of people in the past, and then walked out of the witness box before he could be quizzed further.

“He has done it before,” continued Mr White.

“He walked out of this tribunal and you told him to come back two or three times and resume his seat and he totally ignored you and treated the tribunal with derision.

“Nothing happened to him over that and it is my belief that he feels he can get away with it.

“He doesn’t want to answer cross-examination, he doesn’t want to answer questions, and it’s improper of him to blame me for what he has done and I’ll leave it at that chairman.”

The tribunal is currently investigating claims that Mr White led a garda campaign of harassment against the publican, his family, business and staff after Frank McBrearty Jnr and his cousin Mark McConnell were wrongly suspected of murdering cattle farmer Richie Barron.

Ten other members of their extended family were also arrested on suspicion of aiding the men.

It was later ruled he was the victim of a hit-and-run.