A Garda detective has claimed he and two fellow officers severely psychologically abused two sisters being questioned over the death of Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron, the Morris tribunal heard today.
The tribunal which investigating Garda corruption in the county heard Roisin McConnell and Katrina Brolly were shown shockingly graphic pictures of Mr Barron's injuries taken during a post-mortem as lights were flicked off and on.
Ardara-based Det Gda John Dooley revealed the women were called lying bitches, one was forced to pray to her dead father while the other had her hair pulled as gardaí accused Mrs McConnell's husband Mark of murder.
Garda Dooley has given a sworn statement admitting three officers, including one female garda, abused the women while in custody.
After four years of denials in three separate inquiries, Garda Dooley told tribunal investigators both he, Detective Sergeant John White and Garda Joan Gallagher verbally and psychologically harassed the women.
Mrs McConnell ended up needing psychological and hospital care as a result of the intimidation.
Paul McDermott SC told the inquiry Mrs McConnell made serious allegations against Garda Dooley and Det Sgt John White in 2002, but it is only now the claims have been admitted.
Mr McDermott said: "For close to nine years the gardaí who were the subject of these allegations strenuously denied them. This has now changed."
He said Garda Dooley's admissions were an important step forward.
"If it is true, Mrs McConnell and Mrs Brolly have been the subject of the most dreadful treatment whilst in detention and a most scandalous cover up by the gardaí involved," Mr McDermott said.
"If it is true, it also marks a significant breaking away from the culture of lies and deceit and the unwillingness to reveal a truth adverse to a colleague that has been an unfortunate feature of this inquiry. That would be a very positive and commendable development."
In his statement Garda Dooley told the tribunal: "While Sergeant White was showing the photographs to Roisin McConnell I switched on and off the light in the interview room a number of times.
"I did this spontaneously and on my own initiative to sustain the pressure that had been placed on Roisin McConnell."
He went on: "Roisin McConnell looked shocked at the sight of the post mortem photographs."
Garda Dooley admitted telling Mrs McConnell that her husband, Mark, was having an affair. He also said Det Sgt White told Mrs McConnell that if she told the truth she would save herself seven years in prison.
PA