McBrearty snr alleges signature sought

Two senior garda officers asked a publican under interrogation during a murder investigation to sign a blank sheet of paper, …

Two senior garda officers asked a publican under interrogation during a murder investigation to sign a blank sheet of paper, it was claimed today.

Donegal nightclub owner Frank McBrearty snr said he was being questioned by detectives in Letterkenny Garda Station at the time of the alleged incident ten years ago.

He was arrested on December 5th, 1996, under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act by officers investigating the death of Raphoe cattle dealer Richie Barron.

Mr McBrearty's son and nephew were also arrested as prime suspects in the-then murder case, but it was was later found that Mr Barron died in a hit-and-run collision and that the McBrearty family was innocent of any involvement in his death.

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Mr McBrearty snr told the Morris tribunal, investigating Garda corruption, that he was admitted to hospital hours after being arrested because he was in danger of having a heart attack or stroke.

A week later, when he was released from medical care, he was taken back into Garda custody for further interrogation, when he claims he was asked to sign the blank sheet.

He said no notes were taken by Detective Inspector John McGinley and Superintendent John Fitzgerald during questioning on December 12th, 1996.

"I saw no documents, only a white sheet of paper with nothing written on it, that Detective Inspector McGinley asked me to sign," he said.

Tribunal chairman Mr Justice Frederick Morris said it was a very serious allegation he was making about the two senior officers. He asked Mr McBrearty snr if he was sure about what he was saying.

"I'm very, very sure because I was thinking about it last night. The only paper I saw was a white sheet of paper that I was asked to sign, and there was nothing on it," he replied.