Garda filed false claim, inquiry told

A DETECTIVE sergeant based in Dundalk perpetrated an insurance fraud, was a major dealer in second-hand cars, and remained a “very close” associate of a man involved in Provisional IRA activities, the Smithwick Tribunal has been told.

Former assistant Garda commissioner Jim McHugh told the tribunal he had investigated allegations against then Det Sgt Owen Corrigan, which arose out of a minor crash which took place in Dunleer in May 1988.

In investigating whether Mr Corrigan had filed a fraudulent insurance claim Mr McHugh discovered Mr Corrigan “wheeled and dealed in second-hand cars quite extensively” working with a local garage owner, Finbar Dillon.

Mr McHugh told the tribunal Mr Corrigan brought Mr Dillion a car for repair after the minor crash and left with a number of blank invoices.

At a later date when Mr Dillion was prosecuted for firearms offences, Mr Corrigan spoke up for him in the Special Criminal Court, Mr McHugh said. Mr Dillon was given a suspended sentence.

Mr Corrigan had also claimed the other party to the minor road crash lorry driver Patrick Gallagher, was a member of the IRA, Mr McHugh said.

However Mr McHugh said he found this was not the case and in fact Mr Gallagher was an upstanding member of the community.

Mr McHugh said the Director of Public Prosecutions had subsequently brought a criminal prosecution against Mr Corrigan alleging insurance fraud arising out of the crash involving Mr Gallagher’s lorry.

Mr McHugh had relied on the evidence of Mr Gallagher, who ultimately failed to turn up when the case went to court, resulting in the case being dismissed.

Mr Gallagher told the tribunal he had received a phone call and visit from a Francie Tiernan who had advised him not to give evidence against Mr Corrigan. Later some men had stopped his lorry, suggesting to him that he not give evidence in the trial.

Mary Laverty SC for the tribunal read from a report of a Det Supt Mick Finnegan, dated April 1987 in which it was alleged Mr Tiernan was known for smuggling and fraud and involvement in Provisional IRA activity. “Mr Corrigan remained a very close associate of Tiernan,” Ms Laverty said.

Much of yesterday’s evidence was strongly contested by counsel for Mr Corrigan Jim O’Callaghan SC, who accused Mr Gallagher of “telling lies”.

He told Judge Peter Smithwick Mr Gallagher was “either mistaken or deliberately telling falsehoods”.

He said there was no issue as to the fact that there had been a crash in Dunleer and Mr Gallagher had accepted responsibility.

Mr O’Callaghan pointed out that in one statement Mr Gallagher said four men had stopped his lorry and intimidated him, while in another he said it was two men.