SENIOR GARDA TRIED TO BLOCK STATEMENT ON TERRORISM FEARS
Senior garda tried to block statement on 'terrorism fears'
By Sarah Stack PA
SENIOR garda had attempted to block a statement which claimed he had no concerns about paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, the Omagh civil action case heard yesterday.
An internal M15 memo alleged that Chief Superintendent Dermot Jennings wanted to remove the report because it cast doubt on the credibility of an FBI informer who had infiltrated the Real IRA.
Mr Rupert's evidence was paramount in the conviction of alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt in August 2003 who was jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism, unrelated to the Omagh bomb attack.
Mr Jennings, promoted to assistant commissioner in 2001, was not called to give evidence at McKevitt's criminal trial, and has not been listed to appear before the civil case.
Michael O'Higgins SC said parts of the memo read like something from a cheap James Bond novel.
Typed up in 2001 by a senior member of the British security services, it referred to an email sent by Mr Rupert in 1998 which alleged that in 1997 Mr Jennings expressed indifference to paramilitary activity in the north and only being interested in illegal activity in the Republic.
Mr Jennings was said to be "shocked" by the "untrue" statement which he denied.
It is claimed Chief Superintendent Jennings urged that the report be removed.
Superintendent Diarmuid O'Sullivan said he would be shocked if the senior officer had no concerns as stated "considering he has spent most of his service endeavouring to prevent terrorism in Northern Ireland".
He maintained that Mr Jennings had made a statement for the investigation team which had been given to McKevitt's defence.
"We did everything in our power to disclose every aspect of the case and investigation including aspects that weren't favourable to the prosecution in an effort to afford Mr McKevitt every possibility of properly defending himself," he said.
For almost four hours, Mr O'Sullivan was grilled over the credibility and trustworthiness of the FBI agent.
"Untrustworthiness as a person and untrustworthiness in relation to the facts he stated in his statements that were corroborated at a later stage are two different things," he said.
The �14 million civil action by six families is against five men they believe are responsible for the August 1998 blast which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
McKevitt, Liam Campbell, said to be his number two, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly all deny any involvement.
Although more than 50 gardai were summonsed to give evidence in Dublin, just seven out of the first 29 officers listed for this week have taken to the witness box.
Barristers, who agreed that statements from four gardai could be read to the case in Belfast, are expected to agree a possible reduction in witnesses when the case returns to the District Court on May 27.
By Sarah Stack PA
SENIOR garda had attempted to block a statement which claimed he had no concerns about paramilitary activity in Northern Ireland, the Omagh civil action case heard yesterday.
An internal M15 memo alleged that Chief Superintendent Dermot Jennings wanted to remove the report because it cast doubt on the credibility of an FBI informer who had infiltrated the Real IRA.
Mr Rupert's evidence was paramount in the conviction of alleged Real IRA leader Michael McKevitt in August 2003 who was jailed for 20 years for directing terrorism, unrelated to the Omagh bomb attack.
Mr Jennings, promoted to assistant commissioner in 2001, was not called to give evidence at McKevitt's criminal trial, and has not been listed to appear before the civil case.
Michael O'Higgins SC said parts of the memo read like something from a cheap James Bond novel.
Typed up in 2001 by a senior member of the British security services, it referred to an email sent by Mr Rupert in 1998 which alleged that in 1997 Mr Jennings expressed indifference to paramilitary activity in the north and only being interested in illegal activity in the Republic.
Mr Jennings was said to be "shocked" by the "untrue" statement which he denied.
It is claimed Chief Superintendent Jennings urged that the report be removed.
Superintendent Diarmuid O'Sullivan said he would be shocked if the senior officer had no concerns as stated "considering he has spent most of his service endeavouring to prevent terrorism in Northern Ireland".
He maintained that Mr Jennings had made a statement for the investigation team which had been given to McKevitt's defence.
"We did everything in our power to disclose every aspect of the case and investigation including aspects that weren't favourable to the prosecution in an effort to afford Mr McKevitt every possibility of properly defending himself," he said.
For almost four hours, Mr O'Sullivan was grilled over the credibility and trustworthiness of the FBI agent.
"Untrustworthiness as a person and untrustworthiness in relation to the facts he stated in his statements that were corroborated at a later stage are two different things," he said.
The �14 million civil action by six families is against five men they believe are responsible for the August 1998 blast which killed 29 people, including a woman pregnant with twins.
McKevitt, Liam Campbell, said to be his number two, Colm Murphy, Seamus McKenna and Seamus Daly all deny any involvement.
Although more than 50 gardai were summonsed to give evidence in Dublin, just seven out of the first 29 officers listed for this week have taken to the witness box.
Barristers, who agreed that statements from four gardai could be read to the case in Belfast, are expected to agree a possible reduction in witnesses when the case returns to the District Court on May 27.
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0935
Published Date: 16-May-08
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