Morris TribunalThe work of the Morris tribunal, which has been conducting hearings in Donegal town court- house, has been adjourned following the death on Thursday of Mr Eamon Leahy SC, who acted as lead senior counsel for the Garda Commissioner.
The tribunal, which had been scheduled to continue hearing evidence in Donegal town until Tuesday, has now risen until September.
Addressing the tribunal yesterday, Mr Justice Frederick Morris said that after consulting with counsel for the various parties, he had decided that "it is the consensus of all parties in view of the death of Mr Leahy that the tribunal is not in a position to proceed any further with its work for the time being.
"It is unreasonable, and in my view, out of the question to expect the team representing the Commissioner to pick up the threads where Mr Leahy left them, and it would be wrong to ask them to proceed with the case today.
"My understanding is that Mr Leahy's funeral is on Monday and that would be the second-last day of the sitting, so it is not proposed to shift the tribunal back down here just for one day on Tuesday.
"The result of all that unfortunately is the tribunal has to conclude its sitting here today. It will resume this module on a date to be communicated to the parties.
"My own view is it would be desirable that the particular tranche of the module that we were dealing with should be concluded. As soon as everybody's convenience will allow we will reconvene to complete that aspect of the work of the tribunal."
The tribunal, which is expected to reconvene in Dublin in September, had been hearing evidence from Mr Mark McConnell, who, along with his cousin, Mr Frank McBrearty jnr, became the chief suspect when gardaí began a murder investigation following the death of Raphoe cattle-dealer Mr Richie Barron in 1996.
The tribunal is investigating allegations of Garda corruption arising from the subsequent investigation.
Also expected to give evidence yesterday was Mr Frank McBrearty snr.