Morris tribunal: Legal teams at the Morris tribunal investigating Garda corruption in Donegal are facing new rules to speed up proceedings, according to the tribunal's website.
The chairman, Mr Justice Frederick Morris, has banned oral objections and applications, he has limited cross-examination and has demanded that all witnesses are treated with respect to halt the inquiry's lack of progress.
He said constant and unnecessary interruptions, lengthy questioning and repetition of evidence were destroying the work of the tribunal.
The current module, examining the death of Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron, has run for 106 days with the last two witnesses being questioned for seven weeks. "This is insupportable if the tribunal is to fulfil its mandate of reporting on the situation in the Donegal Garda division with expedition," he said. "We simply have to move more expeditiously in future."
Mr Justice Morris said the five- point ruling was even-handed and was aimed at all parties, including his own legal team.
A key witness at the inquiry, Mr Frank McBrearty jnr, has been warned over "unfair and unworthy" criticisms of the inquiry's lawyers and sessions have been adjourned after witnesses were branded liars.
The Minister for Justice, Mr McDowell, has expressed concerns over spiralling costs in long-running inquiries and yesterday revealed that a draft Bill would be brought before the Oireachtas in the coming months to curb costs.
The Morris tribunal opened more than 2½ years ago and has led to a number of senior gardaí leaving the force. - (PA)