A retired garda today denied intimidating and assaulting a murder suspect in Donegal.
Former detective garda Michael O'Malley refuted claims he roared, shouted, swore at and pushed a man in Letterkenny Garda Station in December 1996.
However he admitted at the Morris tribunal that denials by Mark McConnell that he had not been involved in the killing of Richie Barron had been omitted from interview notes.
Mr McConnell (35), a father of two, had previously told the hearing he was abused by the officer when detained at Letterkenny Garda Station on suspicion of murder.
He claimed as soon as the first interview started Mr O'Malley became a Jekyll-and Hyde-character and went berserk - roaring, shouting and swearing at him, before telling him to stand up. He claims he was then pushed by Mr O'Malley and retired detective sergeant Jim Leheny.
"I completely and categorically deny what Mark McConnell has said," said Mr O'Malley, who retired from the force two years ago after 32 years in the force.
"Under no circumstances would I go into a room and start shouting or roaring or abusing a prisoner, not at any stage during the course of an interview."
The Morris tribunal, which is investigating Garda corruption in Donegal, is hearing claims some 12 people - many related - were interrogated, intimidated and abused during the botched investigation into the death of Mr Barron.
The tribunal will resume on Monday.
PA