Evidence on gardai to be examined

Mr James Gogarty is to be cross-examined on his evidence about members of the i, Garda, counsel for the Garda Siochana, Mr Jim McCullough, told the Flood tribunal yesterday.

During his cross-examination by Mr Colm Allen SC, for the Murphys, it was revealed that Mr Gogarty had suggested that there was "widespread corruption" in the force and that the then minister for justice was "not above suspicion".

Mr Justice Flood told Mr McCullough that he would like an indication of the parameters of the cross-examination, before it begins. He also asked Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for the Murphy group, how long Mr Cooney intended to take in revisiting his cross-examination of Mr Gogarty.

In response Mr Cooney said he would be seeking permission to cross-examine on certain matters which arose during Mr Allen's cross-examination. Mr Cooney said that this would take "an hour or so".

Mr Frank Callanan SC, for Mr Gogarty, said there was still the outstanding matter of evidence to back up claims of the movements of Mr Joe Murphy jnr, which were made during Mr Cooney's cross-examination.

Mr Cooney revealed in his cross-examination of Mr Gogarty that Mr Joe Murphy jnr would claim to have been out of the State on June 8th, 1989, the day he said was the most likely date for the payment to Mr Ray Burke. Well-documented evidence would be produced to support this, he claimed.

Yesterday Mr Callanan said the evidence about the movements of Mr Joe Murphy jnr was promised three weeks ago. Mr Justice Flood told Mr Cooney he thought this coming Tuesday would be a reasonable deadline.

The chairman then adjourned the public sittings of the tribunal until April 12th.