Corruption Probe Prepares For Publishing

The findings of a gardaí corruption inquiry, which was the most comprehensive in the State's history, is due to be published in the coming days.

The Morris Tribunal was launched in March 2003, hearing evidence from more than 1,000 witnesses over 685 days until it concluded in December 2007.

The inquiry was set up to investigate allegations of corruption in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The Tribunal focused a wide range of incidents, including the gardaí investigation into the death of cattle dealer Richie Barron, in Raphoe, Co Donegal in October 1996.

The final two modules of the eight reports were sent to the Justice Minister Dermot Ahern on September 25 and will be published next week, the Dail heard today.

Opposition parties have called on the Government to make the Tribnal's findings public.

Tanaiste Mary Coughlan said today: "I did give an undertaking that there would be a full debate on the House. We expect publication next week, if at all possible."

A previous module of the report was published on the same day that Taoiseach Brian Cowen assumed office in the Dail leading to opposition claims the government was trying to distract attention away from it, or 'bury' its findings.

(DW)