Former gardaí will not give evidence on bugging claims
Two former gardaí who complained a murder suspect in Cork was secretly bugged will not be called to give evidence at the Morris Tribunal, it was revealed today.
Even though the inquiry has heard allegations it also happened in Donegal, chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris said comparing the two cases will not help his investigation.
Shamed ex-detective John White claims Letterkenny garda station was wired for covert recording during the botched investigation into the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron.
His allegations have been backed by garda Tina Fowley and retired John Dooley - both credited for whistleblowing in the past. White also claims bugging was rampant nationwide and wanted the Cork example used to back up his story.
But the tribunal judge ruled their evidence would not help his investigation.
“Clearly it would not be logical or fair to infer that because a bugging operation occurred in Cork in 1992, that a similar bugging operation was carried out in Letterkenny.
White claims retired Detective Sergeant Joseph Costello, a former member of the Television and Technical Support Unit bugged Letterkenny Station. Mr Costello denies the claim.
The judge issued a nine-page ruling detailing the bugging in Cork.
In statements given to the tribunal in private, the two unnamed officers said a murder suspect’s home was secretly bugged and that he was recorded while in custody.
The Cork man was the prime suspect for the murder of his son-in-law. He was arrested over the murder and subsequently charged but the trial collapsed.
The first retired garda, known only as Mr JMG, was involved in the murder inquiry. He was told by a now deceased superintendent that the daughter’s home, which she also shared with her father, had been bugged. A surveillance team was set up and planted a bug in the home to listen in on phone calls.
Two useful calls were intercepted and helped lead to the father’s arrest. When he was taken in, the ex-garda claims he was told the interview room in Mallow Station had been bugged. He told the Morris Tribunal he knew the bugging was unauthorised but only made a complaint about the affair nine years later in 2001.
The second retired garda, a former sergeant known as Mr TM, arrested the father in August 1992.
He told the inquiry he was aware of the bugging both in the house and the station when the man was taken into custody. He said a superintendent told him it was all above board.
Official complaints were made. Garda Commissioner Pat Byrne set up an internal inquiry but no adverse findings were made against any officers.
The two ex-gardaí were severely critical of the investigation and told the tribunal they were highly inadequate.
Mr Justice Morris said he accepted the version of events for the purpose of his ruling but warned no inference should be drawn between what happened in Mallow and Letterkenny.
The judge said his decision would not prejudice White.
