McBrearty made false allegations - ex-garda

Morris tribunal: A retired detective sergeant told the Morris tribunal that he and his colleague were "targeted" by Frank McBrearty…

Morris tribunal:A retired detective sergeant told the Morris tribunal that he and his colleague were "targeted" by Frank McBrearty jnr, who made false allegations against him after his arrest on December 4th, 1996.

Mr McBrearty jnr has alleged he was shown postmortem photographs of hit-and-run victim Richie Barron, and was verbally and physically assaulted, while in Garda custody.

"These events didn't happen, Mr McBrearty was not assaulted and we were not assaulted," former detective John Melody told the tribunal.

Mr Melody said Mr McBrearty jnr "borrowed" elements of allegations made by various people, and made similar allegations against himself and former detective John Fitzpatrick.

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He told solicitor Conor Conneely that there were "peaks and troughs" in Mr McBrearty jnr's mood, but he was calmer throughout his arrest than at recent tribunal appearances.

"I never saw the level of aggression that he showed here," he said. Mr Melody told the tribunal he did not think it was necessary to take a preliminary note asking Mr McBrearty jnr if he was willing to make a statement before Mr McBrearty jnr made a statement of admission on December 4th, 1996.

Mr McBrearty jnr denies he made the statement. Mr Melody was one of four detectives who questioned Mr McBrearty jnr on December 4th, 1996, when he was arrested for the murder of Mr Barron, one of 12 people arrested during the Garda investigation.