PSNI says republicans have lied to tribunal

SMITHWICK TRIBUNAL:DELIBERATELY FALSE evidence has been given to the Smithwick Tribunal, according to intelligence produced by the PSNI.

Revealing a precis of its latest intelligence information, gleaned in the 12 months since the Smithwick Tribunal began public sittings, the PSNI yesterday said the tribunal was becoming a significant issue among republicans concerned it was uncovering information on past murders.

The precis named former Dundalk sergeant Finbarr Hickey as one of a number of – otherwise unnamed – gardaí and Customs officers who supplied information to the IRA, mainly on impending raids and arrests during the Troubles.

Det Chief Supt Roy McComb of the PSNI, who is in charge of so-called legacy inquiries, told the tribunal he could not elaborate on where the information came from or its technical “grading” within PSNI and intelligence circles, but he said it was considered “credible, reliable and accurate”.

The precis claimed senior republicans were “anxious the tribunal complete its work as soon as possible” and that “key PIRA members are aware some of the testimony to the tribunal is deliberately false and intended to bring it to an early conclusion”.

A precis of a second intelligence document went so far as to claim Mr Hickey had provided information to the IRA that assisted in the killings of RUC officers Chief Supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan in March 1989. But it noted the informant had later recanted his information.

Mr Hickey has a conviction in relation to signing forms for false passports that were subsequently found to be for the benefit of known republicans. He has denied knowledge of who the passports were intended for, and any collusion with the IRA.

The tribunal was set up to inquire into whether gardaí or other employees of the State colluded with the IRA in the murders of Mr Breen and Mr Buchanan.

The PSNI intelligence information was described as a very serious but vague accusation against Mr Hickey by his counsel, Fionnuala O’Sullivan, who sought to have the information in relation to Mr Hickey heard in private session.

Ms O’Sullivan also sought to have her application for a private hearing heard in private. She was denied both applications by Judge Peter Smithwick, who ruled that the tribunal was a public one and wherever possible should strive to have its sessions heard in public.