Garda 'uneasy' at secret taping revelation, tribunal hears
An experienced Garda today said he felt uneasy when a colleague revealed he had made a secret recording of an interview with a drugs suspect, at which both officers were present.
Garda Phelim Moran, 33, told the Morris Tribunal he had no idea the interrogation of extended McBrearty family member Paul Quinn on February 10, 1997, was being covertly taped.
Mr Quinn claimed drugs were planted on him by former Sergeant John White after he was arrested at Frankie’s Nightclub in Raphoe, Co Donegal.
While refuting the allegation, fellow arresting officer Garda Moran said he felt uneasy and distrustful of White when the latter revealed the interview had been taped.
“I had no idea at all that this conversation was being taped,” Garda Moran told his solicitor Connor Connelly.
“I never suspected at any stage that we were being recorded. I was surprised, I felt in a way let down. I felt very uneasy about it.
“I felt distrust towards John White as well.
“But at the end of the day, I didn’t feel I had anything to worry about,” he said.
Three different transcripts of the muffled recording have been produced at the tribunal, one made by Mr Quinn, one prepared for the tribunal, and a third based on a version of the tape enhanced to remove background noise and distortion.
Each have been used in an attempt to unravel the details of that night.
Mr Quinn, who has never been prosecuted over the find, claimed that after he was brought to the station, drugs were planted in his jacket pocket by White.
But Garda Moran, who found the drugs, said Mr Quinn was “on something” other than drink when he was detained and refuted the allegation.
The tribunal is investigating claims the McBreartys, their extended family, business and staff were the victims of orchestrated Garda harassment over the October 1996 killing of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron.
Frank McBrearty Junior and his cousin Mark McConnell – Mr Quinn’s brother-in-law – were wrongly suspected by Gardaí of the death.
It was later ruled and unsolved hit-and-run and the family cleared of any wrongdoing.
