False evidence given to Smithwick Tribunal, PSNI say
FALSE information has been deliberately given to the Smithwick Tribunal to bring it to an early conclusion, according to a PSNI intelligence report.
“Key PIRA [Provisional IRA] members are aware that some testimony to the tribunal is deliberately false and is intended to bring it to an early conclusion,” the tribunal was told yesterday. That intelligence was obtained by the PSNI within the last 12 months, detective chief superintendent Roy McComb told the inquiry, which is looking at allegations of garda collusion in the deaths of two RUC officers, chief superintendent Harry Breen and superintendent Bob Buchanan.
“The intelligence is considered to be reliable, credible and accurate,” Mr McComb said, presenting the summary of the intelligence to the inquiry.
Members of the Provisional IRA were “concerned that individuals associated with PIRA’s testimony to the tribunal will lead to other material coming to light”, the summary said.
