McBrearty criticises report and denies he exaggerated abuse

McBREARTY REACTION: FRANK McBREARTY jnr has criticised the findings of the sixth report of the Morris tribunal and said he never exaggerated the level of abuse he suffered in Garda custody.

Mr McBrearty jnr, who was a chief suspect in the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron, frequently clashed with the tribunal.

He described the sixth report as "cold-hearted" and said it did not reflect accurately the level of physical and mental abuse suffered by his family at the hands of gardaí.

He said the level of compensation awarded to him of €1.5 million proved he had not exaggerated what happened to him in custody.

"I didn't exaggerate anything. I've got the medical evidence to prove that I saw psychiatrists and counsellors for 10 years. I know what happened to me and my family."

In his sixth report, Mr Justice Frederick Morris said that Mr McBrearty jnr had "used foul language. He was argumentative and abusive. He threatened and criticised me, tribunal counsel, and the personnel of the tribunal".

However, Mr McBrearty jnr said he and other witnesses to the tribunal had always been at a serious disadvantage because the order to pay their legal costs was not made while the tribunal was going on.

"We weren't funded in the same way as the Garda Commissioner, 101 gardaí and everybody else. He said he would sue Mr Justice Morris for libel if he repeated the allegations against him in public where he said they would not be covered by privilege.

"When I see my legal team, he'd better be able to stand up on an even playing field and repeat those allegations against me," he said.

"I'm a totally innocent person and I've proven that to be the case. The big question you have to ask is that I was awarded compensation of €1.5 million which is far greater than a person would get if they lost their two legs."

© 2008 The Irish Times

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times