A Garda detective today denied hurting a young child during the wrongful arrest of a murder suspect. Publican Frank McBrearty Jnr was accused by Gardai in December 1996 of beating to death a Donegal cattle dealer, Richie Barron.
The dead man was, in fact, the victim of a hit-and-run car collision, it was later found.
Detective Garda Martin Anderson was one of around 10 officers involved in the arrest of Mr McBrearty Jnr as he was leaving his two young children to school on the morning of December 4th, that year.
The young son and daughter became hysterical when their father was stopped as they drove along Thorn Road, Letterkenny, and taken away by gardai, the Morris Tribunal heard.
Det Garda Anderson refuted evidence he called Mr McBrearty Jnr "a murdering bastard" during the arrest. It was also alleged he remarked: "Poor old Richie (Barron) never stood a chance."
In written statements, Mr McBrearty claims his son ran from the car to him when he saw gardai put handcuffs on him. He alleges Det Garda Anderson restrained the child.
The young boy also said he was hurt as he was grabbed by a garda officer during the arrest. He later pointed out Det Garda Anderson as that officer, when he saw him at Letterkenny Hospital.
Asked by tribunal barrister Antony Barr about the allegations, Det Garda Anderson replied: "That never happened."