Tribunal hears claim garda planted shotgun

The Morris Tribunal today heard further serious allegations against gardaí in Co Donegal on the second day of the inquiry legal team's presentation of its opening statement.

Counsel for the tribunal Mr Peter Charleton SC detailed a series of allegations, including the claim that a detective "planted" a shotgun at a Travellers' halting site where it was later discovered in a raid by gardaí.

The tribunal heard Det Sgt Thomas Kilcoyne informed the Carty inquiry, the internal Garda investigation into alleged Garda misconduct in Co Donegal, that he had been with the garda who allegedly planted the shotgun. According to Det Kilcoyne, the weapon was planted on Friday evening May 22nd, 1998, at a halting site in Burnfoot, Co Donegal.

Det Garda Thomas J. Kilcoyne said he "felt like a criminal" when he took part in the operation, which he claimed was organised by Det Sgt John White.

However, he said, Det Sgt White "was my Sergeant and more experienced than me", and "I felt it wasn't my place to tell him it was illegal."

This site was searched by gardaí the following morning as part of an investigation into a number of incidents including the death of Edward Fitzmaurice at Charlestown, Co Mayo, earlier that month.

It was also connected with the theft of a number of trailers from Det Sgt White's private property at Ballybofey.

Det Sgt White denies the allegations.

Mr Charleton told the tribunal that following the search of the Burnfoot site seven members of the Travelling community arrested. All were questioned about the weapon.