Morris tribunal: Two Donegal gardaí have denied threatening a "model prisoner" with a 14-year sentence if she failed to provide information about the death of cattle-dealer Richie Barron.
Det Sgt Desmond Sheridan yesterday said neither he nor Garda Pauline Golden threatened Edel Quinn with a prison sentence when interviewing her in Lifford Garda station in December 1996 as part of the investigation into Mr Barron's death.
"That never happened . . . I definitely didn't say that to that girl," Garda Sheridan told the tribunal. If he had mentioned something about the possibility of jail, it would have "clogged up the girl".
"She was a lady and she was treated like a lady," he added. The two interviews with Ms Quinn were carried out that day with respect and courtesy at all times.
Garda Golden also told the tribunal she did not threaten Ms Quinn with a 14-year sentence. She also denied comparing Ms Quinn to the motorbike driver in the Veronica Guerin murder, as Ms Quinn has alleged.
The tribunal is currently investigating the detention of Ms Quinn for 12 hours on December 4th, 1996. Gardaí accused her of covering up for her brother-in-law, Mark McConnell, who was wrongly suspected of killing Mr Barron.
Mr Justice Frederick Morris said Garda Golden seemed to have a clear recollection of what she didn't say but when she was asked about a factual situation her memory was hazy.
