A Co Donegal man who refused to give evidence to the Morris Tribunal two weeks ago apologised to the tribunal's chairman, Mr Justice Frederick Morris, this morning.
Hugh Diver of Ardara had been warned that failing to give evidence could result in his assets being sequestered and a fine being imposed for every day he refused to appear.
Mr Diver had told the chairman that the tribunal was a true and thorough investigation and he believed that it was trying to make a scapegoat of a few gardaí in Donegal.
Today Mr Diver appeared at the tribunal as scheduled and began by apologising to the chairman for his behaviour the last day he appeared.
Mr Justice Morris said there was no need but he thanked him for his apology.
Mr Diver went on to give evidence of his arrest in November 1996 in connection with the discovery of what was thought to be an explosive device on a controversial mast in Ardara.
He claimed his arrest under Section 30 of the Offences Against The State Act was unlawful and he said he believed that the device had been made in a garda station.
He identified a garda as the person who made a mysterious late night call to his home the night before he was arrested.
He said Garda Sean McKenna did not identify himself when he rang him just before midnight and asked him what the hell was going on on the hill.
Mr Diver alleged that the real reason that he was arrested had nothing to do with an explosive device on the mast.
He said it was because he had refused to let his wife give evidence in a court case three years previously against a woman who had allegedly assaulted Garda McKenna.
