Alleged Garda collusion investigated

The PSNI is investigating intelligence reports that information which assisted in a number of IRA murders came from a member - or members - of An Garda who have so far not been identified at the Smithwick Tribunal.

Drew Harris OBE, assistant chief constable of the PSNI, told the tribunal a total of 12 new files on allegations of Garda-IRA collusion have come to light in the course of PSNI investigations into dissident republicans.

Mr Harris, who gave evidence in closed session last month, said the 12 files, were "of the moment" and were classed as "accurate and reliable".

This morning, tribunal chairman Judge Peter Smithwick ruled Mr Harris's evidence - with some redactions in the interests of security - should be read into the public record at the tribunal.

A precis of the first intelligence report claimed the Provisional IRA "traditionally obtained good intelligence from Dundalk Garda station". A second suggested well-known republican Patrick "Mooch" Blair had claimed there was a "garda spy" involved in the 1989 murders of RUC officers, chief supt Harry Breen and Supt Bob Buchanan.

The intelligence also claimed former det sgt Owen Corrigan engaged in corrupt activity in targeting criminals, and was motivated by greed. It suggested Mr Corrigan provided sensitive information to the Provisional IRA and did so for "reasons of self-preservation". Mr Corrigan is legally represented at the tribunal.

The files also claimed a senior member of the Provisional IRA had revealed several Garda members were passing information to the IRA, including an officer who was more senior than Mr Corrigan.

The intelligence reports also claim a senior member of PIRA acknowledged a Garda leak contributed to the murders of Northern Ireland High Court Judge Lord Justice Maurice Gibson, and Cooley farmer Tom Oliver. According to the intelligence, a senior PIRA member discovered Mr Oliver might have been giving information to the Garda. This IRA member sought direction from a member of the IRA's Army Council as to what to do about Mr Oliver.

Further intelligence alleged several senior PIRA members in the area asked the IRA Army Council member not to have Mr Oliver executed. Despite these requests the senior Army Council member directed that Mr Oliver be killed.

The intelligence also claimed a senior IRA member had claimed responsibility for the murder of Border smuggler John McAnulty.

The importance of the evidence along with Mr Corrigan's ill-health prompted tribunal chairman Judge Peter Smithwick to obtain an extension of the tribunal's deadline until July next year.