Smithwick Tribunal resumes public hearing

The Smithwick Tribunal which is investigating allegations of collusion between members of the Garda and the IRA, has resumed public hearings, in the Criminal Courts Complex in Dublin.

The tribunal is inquiring into events surrounding the murder of RUC officers chief superintendent Harry Breen and supt Bob Buchanan in March 1989.

The officers were killed in an IRA ambush on the Edenappa Road in Co Armagh, minutes after they left a meeting in Dundalk Garda Station.

The tribunal is particularly investigating allegations that a member of An Garda based in Dundalk, or other State employees tipped off the IRA about the murdered officers’ movements on the day of the ambush.

This morning Judge Peter Smithwick was told former detective sergeant Owen Corrigan of Dundalk Garda station, whose evidence was suspended last August to enable him to undergo heart surgery, was ready to resume his testimony.

Mr Corrigan is to give two hours of evidence per day, subject to his well being. He is being led by his senior counsel Jim O’Callaghan.

Judge Smithwick was told by Justin Dillon SC for the tribunal that the Mr Corrigan’s evidence, and closing submissions as well as some brief other matters would likely represent the completion of the tribunal’s public sessions.

The tribunal which began its investigations in 2006 and commenced public hearings in the summer of 2011 has booked Court 22 until this Friday.

At today’s session Mr Corrigan said he had been the senior officer in Dundalk Garda station in the early 1980s but towards the end of that decade that “responsibility” had passes on to others. He said he went on sick leave in December 1989 and acknowledged he was running a business selling second hand cars at that time.

But he said allegations that he had fabricated his sickness were “disgraceful”. He said he was present as a witness, not be abused.

The hearing continues.