Woman 'never discussed bomb factory with garda'

MORRIS TRIBUNAL: A woman who was in a relationship with a garda when he discovered a so-called "bomb factory" above her apartment said yesterday she never discussed the find with him.

The Morris tribunal heard that Ms Vivienne Eccles lived in the apartment below Ms Adrienne McGlinchey in Buncrana. When Ms Eccles discovered a flood in her kitchen, she called her landlord, Mr John Mackey. Her then boyfriend, Garda Tom Rattigan, called to the apartment around the same time and went upstairs with Mr Mackey to find the source of the leak.

Mr Mackey removed a panel from the bath and Ms Eccles said "there was mention of a gun". More gardaí were called to the apartment and there was "a lot of hustle and bustle". Asked what had been said about the events afterwards, Ms Eccles said "it was never mentioned" and the couple never had a conversation about it.

Mr Justice Morris said he found it difficult to understand why she did not ask Garda Rattigan about the events. "I must confess I find that terribly hard to believe," he said. Asked if she was afraid of embarrassing Garda Rattigan with her evidence, Ms Eccles said "no".

The tribunal has already heard that Mr Mackey reported finding metal tubular objects and what appeared to be fertiliser strewn under the bath. Substances, which appeared to be fertiliser and icing sugar, were removed from the apartment in a Garda search.

Mr Justice Morris also challenged a retired detective garda who gave evidence yesterday. Mr Patrick Cafferkey had told the tribunal that Det Garda Noel McMahon had been transferred to Letterkenny Garda station "under supervision" and he distanced himself from him because of this. He said he did not know who told him this.

Mr Justice Morris said it appeared that the tribunal was wasting time. "I've sat here for the last three quarters of an hour listening to you doing your utmost to avoid giving any information or giving any answer worthwhile to any question you have been asked," he told Mr Cafferkey.

Mr Brian Murphy SC, for Det Garda McMahon, said his client had been transferred on foot of a Garda welfare recommendation because of a fraught relationship between him and Det Sgt Jim Leheny.

Mr Cafferkey earlier told the tribunal that Garda information suggesting Ms Adrienne McGlinchey was involved in subversive activity was "completely wrong". He never believed Ms McGlinchey had terrorist links. He often saw her on the road to a known republican house in Rahan, but said the people in that house would have nothing to do with her.

They were "hardened terrorists" and were some of the most wanted men in Northern Ireland. "I didn't think they would bother with Adrienne McGlinchey." Her activities were "an item of fun" at first "but then some fellas started taking her seriously". Asked why gardaí would take her seriously, he said "I'd love to know."

At the end of yesterday's hearing, Mr Alan Toal, counsel for the Gallagher family, said he was "terribly concerned" at a letter he had just received from the tribunal which proposed limiting his presence at the tribunal. Mr Justice Morris said he did not see the need for Mr Toal to be present when his clients were not under discussion. Gardaí searched the Gallaghers' lands at one stage and this had major implications for the family, Mr Toal said. Mr Justice Morris said the tribunal had never cast any aspersion on the character of the Gallaghers, but if Mr Toal wished to remain present at the hearings, he was welcome to do so.