A murder suspect today told the Morris tribunal today he was pushed, abused and sworn at by gardaí during a botched investigation into the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron.
Mark McConnell (35) claimed he was called a "fat murdering bastard" by officers in Donegal investigating the death of Richie Barron.
He told the Morris tribunal that statements later made by gardaí were lies and had been fabricated.
Mr McConnell, a father of two, was arrested at his Rathoe home shortly after 8am on December 4, 1996. At the same time,his wife, Roisín, who was on her way to work, was arrested for covering for him.
He told the tribunal his house and car keys were seized, with gardaí taking his vehicle to be forensically examined without permission.
During his first interview Mr McConnell alleges retired Det Sgt Jim Leheny and Det Garda Michael O'Malley intimidated and abused him.
"From the world go they were very abusive, especially O'Malley," he said. "As soon as the interview started he was a Jekyll and Hyde character, he just went berserk. He was roaring and shouting, going on about Richie Barron.
"He told me to stand up and he started pushing me and Leheny got up and started doing the same." Mr McConnell said any notes presented from the interview were made up.
Mr McConnell was arrested three times by gardaí who suspected he and Frank McBearty jnr had murdered Mr Barron. It was later found he was the victim of a hit-and-run.
During the botched inquiry officers are accused of interrogating and intimidating up to 12 people, many related, who they believed covered for the pair.
The Morris tribunal is investigating claims of garda corruption in Donegal.