Morris tribunal: The Morris tribunal probing allegations of Garda corruption has cancelled planned public sittings in Donegal after a publican threatened to hold protests.
Frank McBrearty jnr, whose complaints of Garda harassment after he was arrested in relation to the death of Donegal cattle-dealer Richie Barron led to the tribunal, had planned to hold a public protest in Donegal.
"Have I not got the right to hold a peaceful protest?" Mr McBrearty, who has been representing himself at the tribunal, asked. "I was only going to hold a peaceful protest, obviously the Morris tribunal were frightened of something."
Mr McBrearty said he had planned the protest at the Donegal sittings to highlight the difficulties he is facing as he has not been granted legal aid. He said he was prepared to go to Dublin and hold his peaceful protest there.
Mr McBrearty, whose family has a Supreme Court case pending over his legal aid, said that unless his legal costs were paid, he would not attend any sittings or co-operate with the tribunal. The tribunal will consider legal costs at the end of its sittings; however with several more modules to investigate, the inquiry may run until at least 2007.
The Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors is paying for legal representation for its members while the Garda Commissioner is funding the bill for superintendents.
Tribunal chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris yesterday confirmed that he planned to deliver the tribunal's second report to the Government in early June.- (PA)