BID TO HIDE OMAGH TRUTH
Bid to hide Omagh truth'
Accused Garda officer in cover-up claim
AN Irish police officer accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice claimed that his arrest was part of a bid to hide the truth about the Omagh bombing, a court heard yesterday.
Det Sgt John White appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal charged with three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and a further three of making false statements.
Insp Michael Keane said White, of Ballybofey, Co Donegal, answered "Not guilty" when the charges were put to him.
He said White claimed his arrest was "in order to suppress the truth about aspects of the... current investigations being carried out by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to the Omagh bomb on August 15, 1998, and associated terrorist attacks and also wrongdoing carried out by senior members of An Garda Siochana".
White added: "I believe this and the other charges are an attempt to discredit me in relation to evidence I will give to the Morris tribunal (into police corruption in Donegal) and any subsequent inquiry into the Omagh bomb."
White allegedly committed the offences in counties Sligo and Donegal in 1998. He was arrested yesterday morning before appearing before the court.
Judge John O'Donnell remanded White on bail to reappear before the court on July 25.
Accused Garda officer in cover-up claim
AN Irish police officer accused of conspiring to pervert the course of justice claimed that his arrest was part of a bid to hide the truth about the Omagh bombing, a court heard yesterday.
Det Sgt John White appeared at Letterkenny District Court in Co Donegal charged with three counts of attempting to pervert the course of justice and a further three of making false statements.
Insp Michael Keane said White, of Ballybofey, Co Donegal, answered "Not guilty" when the charges were put to him.
He said White claimed his arrest was "in order to suppress the truth about aspects of the... current investigations being carried out by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in relation to the Omagh bomb on August 15, 1998, and associated terrorist attacks and also wrongdoing carried out by senior members of An Garda Siochana".
White added: "I believe this and the other charges are an attempt to discredit me in relation to evidence I will give to the Morris tribunal (into police corruption in Donegal) and any subsequent inquiry into the Omagh bomb."
White allegedly committed the offences in counties Sligo and Donegal in 1998. He was arrested yesterday morning before appearing before the court.
Judge John O'Donnell remanded White on bail to reappear before the court on July 25.
Further Information
Publisher: NEWS LETTER
Ref: NL/435
Published Date: 19-Jul-02
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