A former garda yesterday refused to answer questions at the Morris tribunal, stating that he wanted legal representation as he had been ambushed with "scurrilous and outrageous" allegations.
Martin Leonard had gone into the witness box and was questioned about December 4th, 1996, when Róisín McConnell was arrested over the death of cattle-dealer Richie Barron.
Allegations were put to him that four people, including her sister Katrina Brolly, who had come to see Ms McConnell at Letterkenny Garda station, were told to clear off or he would arrest them. It was also alleged that he refused Ms McConnell medication or cigarettes that Ms Brolly, who was arrested later, had brought.
When the tribunal resumed after lunch, Mr Leonard said he was unable to continue.
"In view of the allegations made now that I have never, ever seen in my life, I'm unable to continue with this cross-examination until, with all the respect in the world and I know what I'm saying, I get representation on equal footing as the commissioner's representation is getting."
He said he was making the application. "There's no way in the world can I continue to be cross- examined without any notice whatsoever of allegations that have been put to me - scurrilous, outrageous allegations," he said.
"Four allegations have been made against me today that I've had no notice about and I'm not prepared to sit here and be snookered and ambushed."
Tribunal chairman Judge Frederick Morris said: "Mr Leonard, I wish you wouldn't address me in a confrontational way. You may take it that I am as sympathetic to your application as anybody else that comes here."
Mr Leonard said: "My perception is that the tribunal is against me from the word go and I see you as part of the tribunal." The chairman pointed out that he was the tribunal. He said he would grant him legal representation.