A Sligo man facing charges of making false statements to garda∅, in a case arising from a lengthy investigation into allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal, succeeded in court yesterday in having a senior counsel appointed to fight his case.
Mr Bernard Conlon, of Cartron Bay, Sligo, is charged with three counts of making false statements to garda∅ in 1998.
At a sitting of Sligo Circuit Court yesterday, Judge Anthony Kennedy granted an application for a senior counsel to be appointed and adjourned the case until next January.
Mr Des Dockery, for Mr Conlon, said the case arose out of "what is known as the McBrearty saga in Co Donegal". He added that given the sensitive nature of the case he believed it was appropriate that a senior counsel be appointed.
Mr Conlon is facing three charges under Section 12 of the Criminal Law Act 1976, of making false statements alleging that an offence under Section 5 of the Non-fatal Offences Against the Persons Act had been committed by another person.
Raphoe publican, Mr Frank McBrearty, has claimed his family and staff have been the victims of Garda harassment.
An ongoing investigation into alleged Garda corruption in Co Donegal has resulted in five civilians being charged with making false statements and a detective garda has been charged with unlawful possession of a gun.