Morris Tribunal: A handwriting expert has told the Morris tribunal that station records were altered to change the time a garda signed off duty in Raphoe, Co Donegal.
Garda Ray Jackman told the tribunal that the signing-out time in the station diary for November 9th, 1996, had been altered for Garda John O'Dowd. "I would believe it was originally done at 10 p.m. and was altered to read 10.30 p.m.," he said.
On the same night, extortion phone calls were made to Michael and Charlotte Peoples, members of the extended McBrearty family. The tribunal had previously heard that Eircom records show a call from the home of Garda O'Dowd to the Peoples just after 10 p.m. Garda O'Dowd has denied any knowledge of this call.
Two members of the McBrearty family cross-examined Sgt Joe Hannigan, the sergeant in Raphoe at the time of the Barron investigation. The family, who became the focus of a murder inquiry following the death of Richie Barron, a cattle dealer, withdrew their legal representation at the tribunal earlier this year, as they were unable to get guarantees about costs.
Mr Frank McBrearty jnr said Sgt Hannigan had "blackened his name" by writing a profile saying he was "aggressive and violent."
Mr Frank McBrearty snr said gardaí had mounted checkpoints around his premises and failed to respond properly to hoax bomb scares at his premises and threatening phone calls.
"It was a shame and disgrace what the police force in Donegal did to me and my family."