Tribunal told of garda station row
A row erupted in a Donegal garda station over the detention of a suspect arrested following the discovery of an explosive device at a telecoms mast, a garda told the Morris Tribunal today.
Gda John Dooley said he had known Bernard Shovlin, who was one of three men detained for questioning following the discovery on November 19, 1996, as an honest man.
“I would have been very surprised if Bernard Shovlin, particularly, was involved in any criminal act, because I had known this man personally and I was a guest at his wedding and he is a very honest type of individual,” he said.
“I would have been surprised if he was involved.”
The tribunal is currently examining claims the explosive device was constructed at a Donegal garda station and planted at the controversial mast at Ardara in order to arrest a number of people.
Following the conclusion of the first interview with Mr Shovlin, Gda Dooley said both himself and Gda Pat O’Donnell felt he should be released.
“I didn’t think there was anything further to be gained by detaining him. Gda O’Donnell was of a similar view,” Gda Dooley, who had worked alongside Sgt John White investigating crimes in the West Donegal area during 1995/1996, said.
“I rang Supt (Denis) Cullinane and I informed him of this. I also told him there was an interview in progress and the superintendent directed he be released after that interview was complete.”
However, Gda Dooley said a few minutes later Sgt John White, now suspended, telephoned him to say Mr Shovlin should not be released.
Gda Dooley said a row developed over the phone between Gda O’Donnell and Sgt White.
“There were certainly loud words on the phone, well from Gda O’Donnell’s side I could hear there were loud words on the phone,” Gda Dooley said.
He added: “I can recall Gda O’Donnell saying I have a conscience John, whatever about you.”
Gda Dooley said: “The phone call seemed to end abruptly and Supt Cullinane rang back within a few minutes and he said to me, on reflection he shouldn’t be released for a while, there may be things to be clarified, he should be released around 6.30pm.”
Under cross-examination Pat Marrinan SC for Supt Cullinane, now retired, said: “Was it your impression in some way that he (Supt Cullinane) had been influenced by Sgt White in changing his mind.”
Gda Dooley said it was obvious that Supt Cullinane had held a discussion with Sgt White but he put his change of mind down to a further consideration of the matter.
Gda Dooley said that during a conversation with the superintendent he described Det Sgt White as an able policeman, and Mr O’Donnell was not in the same category.
Mr Marrinan said Supt Cullinane had said he would never have spoken to another garda in those terms about an officer.
However, Gda Dooley said the superintendent had gone further in his descriptions and referred to Gda O’Donnell as pretty useless.
The garda said the superintendent felt that if Sgt White’s integrity was being questioned it was a reflection on the superintendent himself as the sergeant was working under his instructions.
Mr O’Donnell, who retired from An Garda Síochana after 34 years service, yesterday told the tribunal some gardai believed the device found at the mast in Ardara on November 19, 1996 may have been planted as a set-up.
Under cross-examination, Gda Dooley said he had no knowledge of the device being a set-up and he would not have been a participant in any wrong doing.
He told the tribunal that if he knew anyone, including Sgt White, was involved in any wrongdoing he would report it to his superior officer.
