Ex garda breaks down over phone call
A former garda broke down at the Morris Tribunal today as he revealed the reason he denied an extortion phone call was made from his home for eight years.
Gda John O’Dowd admitted that he had attempted to cover up allowing an informant, William Doherty, to use his phone back in 1996.
“It is just very upsetting sir, what I have gone through over this,” the emotional garda said.
Peter Charleton, SC, for the State, said: “For the last eight years you told lies about this.”
The tribunal heard that the former garda was questioned after his home number had shown up on phone records to the People’s house, however, he did not admit it had happened until October 2004.
Gda O’Dowd, who earlier denied any involvement in the fatal hit-and-run of cattle dealer Richie Barron, said: “I guess conscience is really what it is all about, if the proper thing was done in the very beginning I wouldn’t be down this train now.”
The former garda, who was dismissed by the Garda Commissioner, claimed the reason he withheld the information at the start was that leaks of information on subversive operations was rare and could save lives and this had to be balanced against the effect of the extortion phone calls.
The tribunal has heard that Gda O’Dowd was receiving information from Mr Doherty on local crime in the area, and the relationship was being supervised by former Supt Kevin Lennon.
Gda O’Dowd told the tribunal that on the evening of November 9, 1996 he met Mr Doherty who told him a story that Michael People’s was to give him money as he had bluffed that he had seen him near the scene of Mr Barron’s death in October 1996.
“I regret letting that happen right enough but I brought him to the house,” he said.
Gda O’Dowd said he went upstairs, as Mr Doherty made a phone call. However, he said it did not sound proper and appeared anonymous.
Charlotte and Michael People’s then reported that they had received a series of calls looking for money in relation to the death of Mr Barron – four from Mr Doherty’s residence and one from Gda O’Dowd’s home.
Gda O’Dowd claimed he told Supt Lennon, who said he would sort it out.
“It still was there and if it raised its head it was going to be a problem at some stage.”
However, Mr Charleton questioned that a superintendent would maintain the secrecy of a crime.
The tribunal heard that Gda O’Dowd changed the time he left the station to 10.30pm to cover his tracks.
Gda O’Dowd insisted he informed Chief Supt Denis Fitzpatrick about the incident.
Judge Frederick Morris closed the tribunal sitting for day after Gda O’Dowd became visibly upset.
Earlier, shortly after the garda took to the stand this afternoon, he denied any involvement in the fatal hit-and-run which claimed the life Donegal cattle dealer, Mr Barron, back in 1996.
Gda O’Dowd told the Morris Tribunal that he had been off-duty and out in the town of Raphoe the night of Mr Barron’s death with one of his garda colleagues.
Mr Charleton said: “Were you involved in the hit-and-run, did you hit Mr Barron?”
Gda O’Dowd adamantly replied: “Not at all.”
Mr Charleton added: “I am not trying to ask this by way of amusement, there are factors which tend to point to that. I will go through them in detail later on, for the moment I just want to get your case on the matter out of the way.”
