Morris Tribunal: Senior garda denies harassing publican
A senior garda officer today rejected claims that he harassed a Donegal publican to get information about the death of a local cattle dealer.
The Morris Tribunal heard that nightclub owner Frank McBrearty Senior accused Raphoe Sergeant Joseph Hannigan of threatening publican Mark Quinn for information about the death of Richie Barron, a hit-and-run victim.
It was alleged that in 1997 Sgt Hannigan told Mr Quinn, who was married to a member of the McBrearty clan, that unless he provided information on the death, his premises would be regularly inspected by officers enforcing liquor licensing laws.
Mr Barron’s body was found along the side of a road outside the town in October 1996 and gardai wrongly accused Frank McBrearty Junior and cousin Mark McConnell of his murder.
“Never happened chairman,” Sgt Hannigan said.
“Absolutely not. Mr Quinn and the the other publicans got the same visits Mr McBrearty got.
“That proposition was never made by me, absolutely not.
“I categorically deny that,” he said.
The tribunal is currently investigating harassment allegations made by the McBreartys against gardai, who are accused of singling out the family’s licensed business for excessive inspections.
Gardaí said other premises in the town were also inspected, but another officer earlier this week told the tribunal there was a belief at the time that pressure was being put on the McBreartys.
Sgt Sarah Hargadon said she now regrets not condoning the behaviour.
“I didn’t say anything, that’s the one regret that I have ten years later, that I didn’t speak up and say that I don’t agree with this, this isn’t going on in any other town,” she said.
“This is unfair attention being paid to one particular nightclub.”
