The work of the Morris tribunal into allegations of Garda corruption in Co Donegal has been delayed because of difficulties hiring staff, the head of the tribunal, Mr Justice Frederick Morris, has stated.
In an interim report, the tribunal's sole member said he "had experienced difficulties in obtaining sanction to employ administrative personnel. This fact has held up the work of the tribunal."
However, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr McDowell, said last night the jobs had now been sanctioned and all vacancies "are being filled as a matter of priority".
Last night, the Department of Justice said the employment of all staff had to be cleared by the Department of Finance, as was the case with all public sector appointments.
Mr Justice Morris said he believed the work of the tribunal should be completed "in 12 to 18 months", though he cautioned that applications for judicial review have now become "the norm".
"If this occurs, this will prolong the estimate of the duration of the tribunal. The tribunal is, however, conscious of this problem and is conducting its business so as to reduce the possibility of such delays occurring."
However, he said, the tribunal's offices in the Belfield Office Park, in Clonskeagh, Dublin "required, and still requires significant renovation", following the departure of the last tenant.
The first public sitting of the tribunal took place on July 15th and dealt with applications for legal representation. In all, 76 people and organisations will be legally represented before it.
It will investigate allegations that members of the Garda wrongfully tried to prosecute members of the McBrearty family, from Raphoe, Co Donegal, following the death of Mr Richie Barron, and tried to bribe witnesses.
Mr Peter Charleton SC, Mr Paul McDermott SC and Mr Anthony Barr BL have been retained to act as counsel to the tribunal. The solicitor to the tribunal will be Ms Bernadette Crombie, formerly of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr Brendan O'Donnell, formerly of the Courts Service, has been assigned to act as the tribunal's registrar.
