Senior gardaí 'gave PIRA sensitive information'

Senior gardaí passed sensitive information to members of the Provisional IRA (Pira) during the Troubles, a major collusion inquiry has been told.

New intelligence heard at a tribunal investigating links between gardai and the terror group’s ambush of two RUC officers in 1989 claimed that a key witness, former Detective Sergeant Owen Corrigan, colluded with subversives.

A redacted version of evidence given to the Smithwick Tribunal by Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Drew Harris during a closed session last month was made public today.

“Intelligence suggests that Owen Corrigan engaged in corrupt activity targeting criminals and was motivated by greed,” his evidence read.

“The intelligence also suggests that he did provide sensitive information to Pira and that he did so for reasons of self-preservation.”

Twelve pieces of new intelligence from Mr Harris included claims that dissident republicans currently engaging in terrorist activity are concerned questions raised in the tribunal may lead to the uncovering of other terrorist activities.

“During 2011, a senior Pira member confided to an associate their personal fears concerning the ongoing Smithwick Tribunal, particularly that An Garda Siochana personnel that were previously under Pira’s control would potentially highlight the level of co-operation previously provided,” the evidence stated.

The tribunal was recently given a nine-month extension as it explores alleged links between gardai and the IRA’s ambush of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan.

The pair were shot dead on March 20 1989 shortly after a meeting with a senior garda in Dundalk.

The 12 new strands of evidence referenced are in addition to five pieces that were delivered to the tribunal in July, also by the PSNI.

Mr Harris insisted during the closed session that the freshest intelligence provided was reliable and accurate.

The information arose out of ongoing PSNI intelligence gathering exercises on current dissident republican activity.

“What has happened now is that more information has become available to the police service that is live information and of the moment,” he said.