Six-month limit on Garda-IRA collusion tribunal challenged

The judge heading an inquiry into suspected Garda-IRA collusion in the murder of two senior RUC officers believes a November deadline is achievable.

Justice minister Alan Shatter called for the six-month limit and claimed judge Peter Smithwick assured him the fast-track investigation was possible.

“It is not about the winding down of a Tribunal,” the minister said. “It is not in the public interest or in the interest of the families bereaved by this IRA atrocity that an inquiry should continue indefinitely.”

The Smithwick Tribunal, set up in 2005, is examining allegations that gardai, or a civilian working in the force, colluded with the IRA in the killing of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan in a border ambush on March 20 1989.

Under the fast-track arrangements, the judge will report first by the end of June and then complete a final report in November.

Sinn Féin justice spokesman Jonathan O’Brien claimed deadlines could force “a mistake which will feed the conspiracy theorists that the government and the Gardaí have something to hide”.

He also said cost issues sound petty and irresponsible compared to the families’ quest for the truth.

Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP MP, said he would be asking judge Smithwick if the deadline was realistic.

“It is vitally important that it is allowed to complete the work it has begun without pressure or influence being brought to bear which might compromise it,” he said.

“Whilst there are no issues with asking for an interim report on the progress made, there appears to be little rational reason for a guillotine hanging over the Tribunal in November.

“If there are grounds to believe that the Tribunal will not be able to complete all the necessary work by November then we will be insisting that the Irish Government provide the time and resources which are necessary.”

Mr Shatter insisted the judge was not under political pressure and if more time was needed, it could be given.

Colm O’Gorman, executive director of Amnesty International Ireland, said: “It is essential that any inquiry into alleged collusion be independent, impartial and thorough.

“Imposing these time limits without setting out satisfactory reasons could be seen as interfering in the independence of the tribunal.

“Financial constraints in themselves cannot justify any eroding of the thoroughness or effectiveness of an inquiry.

“We need to know the truth about what happened to RUC officers Harry Breen and Robert Buchanan and what role, if any, members of An Garda Siochana played in their deaths.”

The tribunal has cost €8m to date.

Alleged IRA double agent Stakeknife, Freddie Scappaticci, has been granted legal representation at the tribunal.

Mr Breen and Mr Buchanan were two of the most senior officers killed in the troubles. They were gunned down returning from a meeting with a top Garda officer in Dundalk, Co Louth, when they were ambushed and killed just north of the border in Co Armagh.

The IRA claimed responsibility for the murders after the meeting which had been arranged at short notice.

The tribunal sits on June 7 with an opening statement.