A solicitor for the family of a murdered RUC officer has called on Sinn Féin candidate for the presidency Martin McGuinness to consider whether he has any information to assist the Smithwick Tribunal inquiring into allegations of collusion in the murder of that officer and his colleague.
Mr McGuinness’s name had been mentioned in the context of matters being investigated by the tribunal, solicitor John McBurney said. If Mr McGuinness has any information, he should provide it, he added.
The lawyer represents the family of RUC Chief Supt Harry Breen who, with colleague Supt Bob Buchanan, was murdered by the IRA in March 1989 shortly after leaving a meeting in Dundalk garda station.
The tribunal is investigating suggestions of collusion between members in Dundalk Garda station with the IRA in the murders. Three officers - Finbarr Hickey, Leo Colton and Owen Corrigan - have all denied collusion.
Today, Mr McBurney told reporters at the tribunal Mr McGuinness had been reported as saying he was “ashamed” of the IRA bombing of Enniskillen. He would like to know was Mr McGuinness also ashamed of what happened to officers Breen and Buchanan in 1989, the subject of the tribunal, Mr McBurney said.
The solicitor said he wished Mr McGuinness to consider whether he has any information to offer to the tribunal which he was prepared to offer, with the same protections available to him as other witnesses.
When it was pointed out the IRA has co-operated with the tribunal, Mr McBurney said it was his understanding that Mr McGuinness's name "has been mentioned in the context of matters being investigated by the tribunal". This indicated Mr McGuinness may at least have some knowledge of the matters being investigated, he added.
The solicitor also said he was unaware whether the tribunal had approached Mr McGuinness in relation to providing evidence.
In evidence to the tribunal today, retired Det Michael O'Driscoll, who served in Dundalk Garda station for 35 years from 1972, said he did not believe the allegations of collusion "for one moment" and had full trust in all the people he worked with there over the years. He regarded the allegations of collusion as being the "ramblings of some journalist".
He said he believed there was no evidence of anyone in the station engaged in any collusion. At no time had any colleague expressed either knowledge or fear that someone was colluding, he said. There would have been "zero tolerance" in Dundalk garda station for anyone colluding with the IRA, he added.
