Former Garda Denies IRA Collusion Allegations

In the ongoing Smithwick Tribunal a former garda detective sergeant has denied that he was an IRA source who helped the subversive organisation.

However Owen Corrigan acknowledged that he did not assist other colleagues in passing sources or intelligence to them and that he failed to pass on information about lives being threatened by the IRA when a smuggler was abducted, tortured and killed.

Mr Corrigan said that following the Anglo Irish Agreement in 1985 the number of detectives in Dundalk swelled from ten up to 40 and that he was sidelined and ignored by senior officers, comparing the new regime at that time to a "vampire's den."

Under cross examination by Mark Robinson, counsel for the PSNI, the witness accepted he did not pass on his intelligence or expertise to other detectives but said there was a detective sergeant there nearly as long as he had been.

It was put to him that by his actions he had impeded the flow of intelligence to An Garda Siochana but Mr Corrigan replied that it was up to every garda to get their own sources.

Mr Robinson put it to him that following his “sidelining” he was "ripe for the picking to become a source."

"Given your position, knowledge and contacts you were the perfect source for PIRA," said Mr Robinson.

The witness rejected that saying it was an insult to his integrity.

The former detective sergeant was also asked about an incident when it was claimed he saved the life of an RUC officer. The two policemen were on their way to meet an IRA source in the Republic when Mr Corrigan said he saw known subversives in the area and what looked like an ambush.

He warned his RUC colleague and they sped from the scene.

He acknowledged that he did not file a report on the incident, nor did he track the vehicles involved or their occupants.

The kidnapping, torture and murder of John McAnulty by the IRA was raised during cross examination. It was put to him that he was aware of the threats against people who passed information to the IRA and did nothing.

"You didn't care about sources. You didn't care about people subject to threats by PIRA. How do you reconcile that with your fight against subversives," asked Mr Robinson. "I think it sits very well," the witness replied. "I did as much as anyone could do."

Mr Corrigan had said he was aware of threats to a number of people including Mr McAnulty around this time but in answer to questions from Mr Robinson, he acknowledged that he did not file intelligence reports about the threats. However, he said he thought he did his best at the time.

The tribunal continues.

(H)