18 November 2004 Edition
Monaghan man wins case against Gardaí
The owner of a dwelling near Monaghan Town was recently awarded €10,000 in damages after the Circuit Court acknowledged that a Garda search team forced their way into his house and used drilling equipment and jack-hammers to damage walls, floors, carpeting and furniture in what many locals believe was a spurious attempt to intimidate the family.
Patrick Murphy's house, at Cormeen, was totally wrecked by Gardaí during a search while he was in hospital in May 1992. He took the legal action against the state and the Attorney General.
The decision to award Murphy damages has been welcomed by local republicans, many of whom remember similar actions by Gardaí in the supposed search for IRA weapons. Local Sinn Féin Councillor Brian McKenna commended Murphy for his action.