Govt to debate Morris Tribunal findings

The Government is to hold a debate within weeks on the Morris Tribunal findings on garda corruption.

The sixth report, published on May 7, found rogue detectives conjured up evidence and made bogus arrests during a botched murder investigation in Co Donegal in the 1990s.

The Government said today that the remaining two reports from Justice Frederick Morris are due to be released in mid-June.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore today told the Dáil that a debate on the issue should take place before the summer recess in early July.

“Time should be provided for a debate, whether it is on the report already published or on the two remaining reports. It really needs to take place before the summer recess,” he said.

Health Minister Mary Harney, who was representing the Government at the Order of Business, said the Cabinet wanted to wait until all the reports were finalised before agreeing to a debate.

However she added to Mr Gilmore: “But I think you make a reasonable request. Even if we don’t have those reports, I think the Government would facilitate a debate before the summer recess.”

The sixth report of the Morris Tribunal also found that officers had cheapened justice and damaged the reputations of innocent families.

The long-running inquiry warned that the investigation into the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron, in Raphoe, Co Donegal in October 1996 had severely damaged the reputation of the Garda.

Earlier this month, Garda Commissioner Fachtna Murphy said he profoundly regretted that members of the extended McBrearty family was mistreated by the force.

Mr Murphy said he was deeply disappointed that the Tribunal also found that some of his officers did not co-operate fully with the inquiry.

Justice Minister Brian Lenihan was accused by the Opposition of trying to minimise the public impact of the embarrassing report by releasing it on the day new Taoiseach Brian Cowen took office.