A former Donegal garda, who was drinking in a pub with an on-duty colleague the night Raphoe cattle dealer Mr Richie Barron died in October 1996, has admitted he left the scene of a traffic accident in May 1999 because he had been drinking.
Mr John O'Dowd, who was dismissed from the force last year by the Garda Commissioner, told the tribunal that in May 1999 he met Det Garda Noel McMahon and they drank a bottle of whiskey. On the way home he "tipped a car, and all I did was bend the bumper".
He said the accident happened close to his house, so he went home, washed his teeth and drank some coffee.
Mr O'Dowd had to pay £300 to repair the tow bar of the other car, and £50 for damage to his own vehicle. There was also an insurance bill for £20,000. "There was no complaint in the case and it was dealt with by civil process," he said.
Mr O'Dowd also said he was falsely arrested in August 1983 for drunk-driving, and admitted a conviction for driving without insurance in 1986.
"[ Tribunal barrister] Mr [ Peter] Charleton put it to you, were you involved in the death of Richie Barron. These things are all propensities to you as a suspect," said former Supt Kevin Lennon. Mr Lennon, who is representing himself before the tribunal, was cross-examining Mr O'Dowd.
"You're talking nonsense Kevin. You're really mad now, aren't you," replied Mr O'Dowd.
Mr O'Dowd insisted he had told Mr Lennon about a phone call informer William Doherty made from his home, and that he had taken Mr Lennon's advice about what to say in statements. "I'm accepting my responsibilities here, and you're throwing the dirt at me. Now you accept your responsibilities too," he told Mr Lennon.
Mr O'Dowd said Mr Lennon also told him to change the date he was introduced to Mr Doherty, who played a central role in the investigation into the death of Mr Barron. Mr Lennon said his diary showed their first meeting took place on December 20th, 1996. But Mr O'Dowd said it was earlier in the year, before Mr Barron died.
"Do you think I made a false entry in my journal?" asked Mr Lennon.
"I certainly do," replied Mr O'Dowd.
Mr Lennon said he would submit his diary to any forensic test to prove it was genuine.
Mr O'Dowd agreed with Mr Lennon, that the former superintendent never discussed hoax extortion phone calls with Mr Doherty. One of the calls was made from Mr O'Dowd's home, and he said last year his informer made the call.