Morris tribunal:A former garda has rejected allegations made by the McBrearty family at the Morris tribunal that he had any involvement in the death of Raphoe cattle-dealer Richie Barron a decade ago, calling them "untrue, unfounded and defamatory".
John O'Dowd was questioned at the tribunal about his involvement in the arrest of Frank McBrearty jnr on February 4th 1997, following an allegation of assault.
At the end of Mr O'Dowd's evidence, Frank McBrearty snr said that he would not ask Mr O'Dowd any questions "because for the past 10 years he has told nothing but lies".
Mr O'Dowd replied: "Mr McBrearty, I'm here to answer any questions to you in relation to the Eddie Moss module, even though your son would not be subject to any cross-examination."
The Garda Commissioner dismissed Mr O'Dowd from the force in late 2004 following an internal disciplinary hearing.
Mr O'Dowd said that he wanted to address Mr McBrearty about allegations made by him and his son at the tribunal.
"They have continuously levelled the accusation against me that I had some involvement in the death of Richie Barron," he said. "This is an untrue, unfounded and defamatory allegation.
"I completely deny the allegations and I wish to point out to Mr McBrearty that I never avoided cross-examination by any party on any issue in which I was involved in Donegal."
The former garda said that Mr McBrearty jnr had made false allegations against him and had refused to submit to cross-examination, which he considered "an abuse of the process and in my mind in contempt of the tribunal".
Later, former superintendent John Fitzgerald said he was not aware of any Garda conference held hours before a controversial statement of admission was obtained from Frank McBrearty jnr. Mr Fitzgerald said: "I have absolutely no recollection of being there at that time."