Morris Tribunal: Two men who were arrested seven months apart on foot of false allegations both claimed at their interrogations that it was a set-up by certain Co Donegal gardaí.
Det Garda Michael Reynolds, now retired, gave evidence of the arrests of two members of the extended McBrearty family, Mark McConnell and Michael Peoples and said he supposed it was unusual that they were making similar allegations. They were arrested after being identified by Bernard Conlon who had made up a story that they had come to his house in Sligo and threatened him with a silver bullet if he gave evidence in court against the McBreartys in a liquor licensing case.
Mr Conlon has claimed he made false statements at the instigation of Det Sgt John White to set up the McBreartys who were suspected of being involved in the death of cattle-dealer Richie Barron. The tribunal has held that the death was the result of a hit- and-run and nothing to do with the McBreartys. Sgt White has denied all the allegations against him and has accused Mr Conlon of telling malicious lies.
Mr Reynolds, who was attached to Sligo, said he felt disappointed that he had been hoodwinked by Mr Conlon and "whoever put Mr Conlon up to this". He said it was highly unlikely that Mr Conlon was capable of doing it on his own.
He said Mr McConnell was arrested in Letterkenny on October 1st, 1998. He interviewed him with another detective.
"He very much resented being detained, he said he was innocent and that it was a set up," he said.
When asked by Anthony Barr SC, for the tribunal, who Mr McConnell said set him up, Mr Reynolds replied to his recollection it was certain gardaí.
He said often people made allegations when they were arrested.
Mr Barr said in his statement Mr McConnell said it was "three stooges that set me up and ye two donkeys were dragged into it". He claimed Mr Conlon was put up to it and said it was to set up his uncle Frank McBrearty snr.
In December 1997, Mr Peoples was identified by Mr Conlon who pointed him out to a garda in Letterkenny courthouse. Mr Barr said he was not arrested until five months' later on May 6th, 1999.
Mr Barr said: "Did it not strike you as unusual that when Mr Peoples was interviewed on May 7th, he too alleged that certain gardaí set him up and he was making similar allegations to those made by Mr McConnell."
Mr Reynolds replied: "It was unusual all right, I suppose, but as I've already stated, people often make allegations in order to get the heat off them." He said Mr Peoples was easier to interview and maybe he had a doubt about it after interviewing him.