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Ex-RUC officers at Breen/Buchanan inquiry in Dublin Ex-RUC officers at Breen/Buchanan inquiry in Dublin
(40 minutes later)
Two former RUC officers have given evidence to a tribunal in Dublin which is investigating the killings of two senior colleagues by the IRA in 1989. An inquiry investigating allegations of collusion over the murder of two RUC officers has been told they were asked not to cross the border to attend a meeting with Irish police in 1989.
The Smithwick inquiry is examining whether there was collusion by Irish police (gardai) in the murders of Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan. A former assistant chief constable, who cannot be named, told the Smithwick Tribunal that Harry Breen and Bob Buchanan went to meet gardai anyway.
On Thursday a former RUC officer, giving evidence from behind a screen, said Bob Buchanan met gardai 10 times the month before they died. They were shot by the IRA on their way back.
He said this was "highly unusual". The inquiry is investigating alleged collusion between the gardai and IRA.
The former officer, known as witness 6, told the tribunal that one of his colleagues, witness 18, had expressed concerns about the number of times Chief Supt Breen and Supt Buchanan had visited Dundalk. Earlier on Thursday the inquiry heard evidence that Chief Supt Breen and Supt Buchanan met gardai 10 times the month before they died.
A former officer, known as witness 6, told the tribunal that one of his colleagues, witness 18, had expressed concerns about the number of times the officers had visited Dundalk.
The inquiry heard that the increase in frequency meant there was an increase in risk.The inquiry heard that the increase in frequency meant there was an increase in risk.
The tribunal was also told that the IRA was highly effective in intelligence gathering.The tribunal was also told that the IRA was highly effective in intelligence gathering.
On Tuesday, the inquiry's legal team revealed that it had had a face-to-face meeting with three former members of the Provisional IRA in recent weeks.On Tuesday, the inquiry's legal team revealed that it had had a face-to-face meeting with three former members of the Provisional IRA in recent weeks.
The tribunal was told the IRA members, one of whom had a command role in the attack, gave detailed accounts and replied to questions from the inquiry team.The tribunal was told the IRA members, one of whom had a command role in the attack, gave detailed accounts and replied to questions from the inquiry team.
The inquiry, which has a November deadline for completion, is due to hear evidence from 214 witnesses including former RUC Special Branch officers, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson and journalists Kevin Myers and Toby Harndon.The inquiry, which has a November deadline for completion, is due to hear evidence from 214 witnesses including former RUC Special Branch officers, DUP MP Jeffrey Donaldson and journalists Kevin Myers and Toby Harndon.