Supt Kevin Lennon, one of the key figures in an investigation into allegations of Garda corruption in Donegal, has claimed he was the "victim of both circumstances and of the malicious personalities" of gardaí in the Donegal division.
Mr Peter Charleton SC for the Morris tribunal said yesterday that "virtually every single one of the main protagonists" involved in this and other modules considered themselves to be a "victim".
In a statement to the tribunal, Supt Lennon said his re-investigation into the death of Richie Barron had "caused a number of persons of high rank in Donegal to be cast in a less-than-flattering light".
Mr Charleton said Supt Lennon had alleged that the initial investigation into Mr Barron's death was handled in "an incompetent way". He also maintained that witnesses giving evidence against him were "completely unreliable".
The tribunal has already documented allegations that Supt Lennon was involved in hoax explosives finds with Det Garda Noel McMahon and a Garda informant, Ms Adrienne McGlinchey.
"He says that in common with other finds, he knew nothing of them in advance; in other words, until information came to him through Noel McMahon as to their existence," Mr Charleton said. "He says that his contact with Adrienne McGlinchey was limited to the receipt of information and that he was not in any way involved in the planting of explosives."
Supt Lennon has issued legal proceedings claiming his constitutional rights are being infringed by the manner in which the tribunal was operating. His legal team was also before the High Court yesterday, seeking an order directing that his legal costs be paid.
Mr Charleton said "many dozens" of witnesses had been interviewed since the last public sitting. These included the DPP, the deputy DPP, the deputy Garda Commissioner and three former ministers for justice: Ms Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Ms Nora Owen and Mr Pádraig Flynn.
Mr Charleton also said the role of Garda headquarters might have to be investigated.
