Conroy moves to distance himself from submission

Paul O’Brien

Tribunal chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris this week reported the investigation to have been characterised by gross incompetence and criminal negligence.

However, Commissioner Conroy’s submission had argued that the investigation met the standards of best policing practice.

The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) last night called into question both the commissioner’s judgement and his position.

“It is incredulous that an investigation described as ‘prejudiced, tendentious and utterly negligent in the highest degree’ has been defended by Commissioner Conroy as ‘run in an efficient and thorough manner’,” said ICCL director Aisling Reidy. “Whether the commissioner was defending the garda irrespective of the incompetence of the inquiry, or he sincerely believed the inquiry to be competent, (the submission) calls into question his judgment and ultimately his position.”

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, speaking in the Dáil, also expressed serious concern. “I have great respect for the Garda Commissioner, Noel Conroy, but I cannot understand why he said, as recently as three weeks ago, that the inquiry into the death of Mr Richie Barron was thorough and efficient. The house should be profoundly disturbed by remarks of that nature.”

In a statement released by the Garda Press Office, the commissioner distanced himself from the submission. “The commissioner notes with concern the interpretation that is being put on an aspect of the submission, concerning the quality of the investigation into the death of Richard Barron, made to the tribunal by counsel representing the commissioner and other officers of An Garda Siochána,” the statement read. “The commissioner wishes to point out that this aspect of the submission reflects the views of the officers of An Garda Siochána involved in the investigation at the time and who are represented by the same counsel.”

Speaking on RTÉ, the garda press officer, Superintendent Kevin Donohoe, said the submission “wasn’t a statement” of the commissioner.