Following a request by Judge Mary Devins for the prosecution in an assault case involving Maura Harrington to go back to the DPP in light of recent media reports about the connection between IRMS staff — who were witnesses in the case — and issues in Bolivia in relation to the credibility of these witnesses, and that the security employers may be called into court, Superintendent Frank Walsh outlined that DPP direction was not for the employers to be called into court, that any involvement with the security company outside of the jurisdiction should not be examined, and that evidence should be based on the veracity of the two witnesses.
In relation to a separate case involving Harrington, where dangerous driving charges have been brought against her, Judge Devins wanted to address the fact that a Belmullet Jeep was visible in the background while Ballina gardaí were dealing with Harrington, and wanted to know who made the initial allegation of dangerous driving to Ballina gardaí.
Supt Walsh outlined in Tuesday’s sitting of Ballina District Court that Belmullet gardaí notified Ballina gardaí about the dangerous driving when the car and van entered the Ballina district, and that two calls between Ballina and Belmullet gardaí were made subsequently — the first call notifying Belmullet gardaí that the car was being followed and that assistance was needed, and the second call telling Belmullet gardaí that the car was stopped and that assistance was no longer needed; however at this stage the Belmullet Jeep had caught up with the stopped car.
Neither Harrington nor her defending solicitor Alan Gannon were in court, and Judge Devins adjourned the matter for further mention to July 14.
