MORRIS TRIBUNAL: A retired Donegal detective has contradicted a superintendent who last week told the tribunal he had not been in Buncrana or signed a warrant for a search of the flat of an alleged informer in 1994.
Retired Det Sgt Des Walsh told the tribunal he saw Supt John P. O'Connor in Buncrana Garda station on March 14th, 1994.
"I have absolutely no doubt when I came on duty Supt O'Connor was waiting for me. He took me over to his office."
Mr Walsh said he had been talking to Det Noel McMahon at the time.
Supt O'Connor briefed him that the landlord of alleged Garda informer Ms Adrienne McGlinchey had contacted gardaí after he called to the flat to repair a water leak.
"He told me Mr Mackey had seen something."
Mr Walsh said he would not have gone on a search without a warrant.
The subsequent arrest of Ms McGlinchey and her flatmate Ms Yvonne Devine following this search led to an interrogation which Ms McGlinchey described in her evidence last year as "a farce".
The current phase of the inquiry is focusing on claims that Ms McGlinchey, together with Supt Kevin Lennon and Det Noel McMahon, both currently suspended from the force, prepared explosives for subsequent use in bogus Garda arms finds.
The two officers have denied those claims, and Ms McGlinchey has insisted she never had an informer's role.
Mr Walsh was asked by Mr Justice Morris why he "didn't do anything about it" when an interview described as a "charade" was conducted with Ms McGlinchey after the search.
"If you see a charade being enacted and you don't do anything about it, it gives rise to the suspicion that you're part of it," he told Mr Walsh.
"Why did you not do something about it?"
The former detective replied: "In hindsight I should have. The Garda authorities were closing their eyes to this lady's activities.
"Members on the ground took the view things should be done differently.
"I voiced my opinion to the superintendent and he assured me everything was above board. Informers for one reason or another are given great latitude," Mr Walsh added.
Mr Walsh said he had not seen Supt Kevin Lennon in Buncrana station the night of the search.
"I would say with no hesitation that I have no recollection of seeing Kevin Lennon there."
The tribunal resumes on Thursday.