Tribunal tries to find out how Sligo got so involved in Donegal matters, writes Christine Newman
Garda John Nicholson was a reputable officer all his life, a teetotaller, family man, and pillar of the community in Sligo. Then, in 2002, after more than 30 years in the force, he pleaded guilty to and was prosecuted for submitting forged certificates of earnings.
This week the tribunal heard from some gardaí who were in Sligo in the late 1990s to try and unravel how they became so involved in Co Donegal matters.
The forged certificates were for Bernard Conlon, who alleged he was told by Det Sgt John White to get caught late-night drinking at a nightclub owned by the McBreartys in Raphoe, Co Donegal, and become a State witness.
Conlon, who lives in Sligo, needed a certificate of employment to establish loss of earnings for attending court cases in Letterkenny. It is disputed that he worked at all.
White has denied allegations and countered with allegations of corruption in Sligo, giving as examples the alleged setting up of Conlon as an agent provocateur and the forged certificates.
Nicholson, now retired, began by blaming White for all his troubles but then said White had phoned him and asked him to provide the certificate so that Conlon could get expenses. White never asked him to get a forged one, he said.
He was continually asked why he had suddenly changed the habit of a lifetime and submitted false certificates. He said he had only done it to oblige White who had a high reputation.
Nicholson also took a statement from Conlon about being "found on" in Raphoe. Having been drawn into the Donegal case, he said he asked Garda John Keogh in Sligo station to get certificates. Garda Keogh has since died and his family this week were granted legal representation to defend his name.
The chairman repeatedly asked Nicholson if Keogh was a special person or could he have gone to anybody in the station to provide a forged certificate.
Nicholson said he did not know who forged the documents which were handwritten and signed with the name Ben Maguire, Conlon's landlord.
The chairman frequently intervened while Nicholson was giving his testimony and finally warned him that if he was found to be obstructing the tribunal with his answers, he would be prosecuted.
The certificates issue arose again when retired Chief Supt James Sheridan said no garda in Sligo would have forged documents. He did not think Keogh would have done so. The chairman said: "We've come across this syndrome before where a person who wants to relieve themselves of an obligation has chosen a garda who's deceased to put the blame on to him so that he can't answer back."
Then it was the turn of Insp Gerard Connolly of Sligo who said he had submitted inaccurate bus fares and subsistence forms to provide Conlon with expenses to keep him sweet as a witness.
After Conlon's false allegation that two members of the extended McBrearty family threatened him with a silver bullet, Connolly took his statement and believed him. He then went to Letterkenny with Conlon who falsely identified Mark McConnell. Connolly says he was disciplined for submitting the inaccurate forms and that was why he was never made superintendent.