A garda sergeant was accused today of concocting a Father Ted storyline as he denied refusing a father-of-six access to a doctor while in custody.
Sergeant Sylvie Henry told the Morris Tribunal he looked after suspect Sean Crossan by twice bringing him tea and scones before getting him painkillers to ease his stomach ulcer.
Mr Crossan (57) from Raphoe, has alleged officers abused him during his arrest showing him graphic post mortem photographs, spitting on him and refusing him medical care.
Gardai accused him of taking a £500 (punts) bribe from the father of another suspect in the Richie Barron death probe to cover-up.
But Sgt Sylvie denied playing any part in mistreating Mr Crossan. "I had no reason to be angry with the man," he said. "There was no reason for me to be nice to him on one hand and angry on the other. It did not happen."
Sgt Henry insisted he did not show graphic pictures of Richie Barron's fatal head injuries. "I totally reject that ... I totally reject that, Mr Chairman it was not me that produced them."
Mr Crossan's lawyer, Ken Fogarty, said the sergeant's evidence that he looked after Mr Crossan with tea, scones and painkillers was almost laughable.
"Does it not seem a little bit Father Ted? It sounds a little beyond belief," he said. Incensed by the remark, Sgt Henry answered: "I can tell you sir, that he did not look for a doctor once, never mind four times, not once."
Mr Crossan was held for 12 hours in Letterkenny Garda Station in December 1996, where he claims the catalogue of abuse took place.
He alleges suspended Det Sgt John White assaulted him, sticking his fingers in his eye and ear and twisting them, punching him in the chest and genital area and spitting in his face and mouth, while Sgt Henry showed him graphic autopsy images of Mr Barron's head injuries.
The gardai have denied all the accusations.
Mr Crossan told the tribunal the physical abuse he suffered affected his nerves and was to blame for a four-month trial separation from his wife Anne.
But denying any role in the abuse, Sgt Sylvie said he had a good relationship with Mr Crossan.
He said: "All I can say Mr Chairman is that I did not show Mr Crossan any photographs. It is something I don't particularly like looking at myself and would not be showing them to other people.
"It is just something that I would not do and I would not allow it to be done in my presence. Post mortem photographs should not be in an interview room."
PA