Morris tribunal:A Raphoe man related through marriage to publican Frank McBrearty snr has insisted under cross-examination by Garda lawyers at the Morris tribunal that drugs found in his jacket pocket were planted.
Paul Quinn was never charged as a result of the alleged find in February 1997. He is a brother of Róisín McConnell, who is married to Mr McBrearty's nephew.
Mr Quinn said he was mistaken when he accused Det Sgt John White of stealing work vouchers on the same date, and had withdrawn the allegation within 24 hours. "It was a genuine error," he said.
Mr Quinn said that Det Sgt White had asked him to remove his jacket, sweater, shoes and socks when he was taken to Raphoe Garda station on February 10th, 1997, and the drugs could have been planted while he was removing his sweater.
"I guarantee you would put drugs in my inside pocket faster than I would take my sweater off," he said.
But Cormac Ó Dúlacháin SC said that Det Sgt White was in front of Mr Quinn during the four-minute window when he could have planted the drugs, and engaged in discussion with him.
Garda Phelim Moran, who was also present, saw nothing unusual, he added.
"Moran says it wasn't him, White says it wasn't him, but it definitely wasn't me, so it's up to the chairman to decide where they came from," Mr Quinn said.
Mr Quinn was searched on the night of February 10th, 1997, by Det Sgt White and Garda Moran. He said that Det Sgt White has already perjured himself when he admitted that he had abused Ms McConnell and her sister, Katrina Brolly, something he had initially denied.
Ken Fogarty, who represents Mr Quinn, said that Det Sgt White had breached his client's constitutional rights by tape-recording him without his knowledge.
Later the tribunal was forced to adjourn after Mr Quinn was overcome with emotion following heated exchanges between his barrister and Mr Ó Dúlacháin.
Mr Ó Dúlacháin had protested that Mr Fogarty was "bullying" his client, John White.
While Mr Ó Dúlacháin protested to the chairman about comments Mr Fogarty made about his client, Mr Quinn told the chairman that "he [ White] destroyed my life".
"My sister was in intensive care because of you, you bullied me," Mr Quinn said, pointing at Mr White. "You're the bully, you're the bully."