Tribunal distances itself from mole claim

THE SMITHWICK Tribunal yesterday issued a statement dissociating itself from weekend reports that it had been told British intelligence services knew of the presence of an IRA mole in Dundalk Garda station.

A 20-page statement purporting to be from former British army intelligence officer Ian Hurst was published on the internet at the weekend.

Responding to the internet publication and weekend newspaper reports, the tribunal issued a brief statement.

It said: “Any material published relating to Ian Hurst did not emanate from the tribunal, and it is our policy that any comment would be inappropriate pending the completion of public hearings.”

Mr Hurst is due to give oral evidence before the tribunal in coming weeks.

The tribunal is inquiring into suggestions that Garda members in Dundalk colluded with the IRA in the fatal shootings of two RUC officers on March 20th, 1989.

Chief supt Harry Breen and supt Bob Buchanan were killed minutes after they left a meeting in Dundalk Garda station.

Former minister for justice Gerry Collins yesterday told the tribunal that allegations of a mole were part of a “propaganda war” waged by the IRA to secure “tabloid headlines”, demoralise the Garda and damage him politically as the minister.

Responding to counsel for the tribunal Mary Laverty, he agreed there had been newspaper headlines about an IRA mole in Dundalk Garda station in 1987 when Northern Ireland judge Lord Justice Maurice Gibson and his wife Lady Cecily were killed by an IRA bomb near the Border.

Mr Collins agreed there were similar reports and suggestions after the Hanna family was killed by a similar bomb attack in the same area in July 1988.

The Hanna family car had been mistaken for that of Northern Ireland High Court Judge Eoin Higgins, the IRA said later.

Mr Collins acknowledged the headlines alleging an IRA informer was at work in Dundalk Garda station had appeared again after the killing of the two RUC officers.

He said the suggestions were simple “newspaper reports” and they never offered any evidence.

He went on: “If it were a fact it would be seriously embarrassing. But it was never established as a fact.”

He said the Garda authorities had acted in other cases in the Republic where members of the force were found to have divulged confidential information.

Mr Collins said he had every confidence in a report undertaken by then assistant Garda commissioner Ned O’Dea which found no evidence of collusion.

Also yesterday Judge Smithwick rejected an application by the Garda Commissioner to have an internal Garda report considered as confidential information which should be heard in private.

Judge Smithwick said the report related to circumstances surrounding the abduction of Det Sgt Owen Corrigan in 1995.

He said he found that it was not protected by client privilege and could be read in open court.

The tribunal continues today.