Solicitor tells of ordeal as murder bid trial collapses

Jul 13 2009 by Neil McKay, The Journal

A SOLICITOR last night called for an outside force to investigate the actions of North East detectives who carried out an illegal search of his house while his children were asleep.

Paul Donoghue was speaking after the collapse of an attempted murder trial due to the actions of Durham detectives branded by a judge as “casual and cavalier.”

Mr Donoghue, 36, a well-known criminal lawyer who was suspended from his practice after being charged with perverting the course of justice, described the actions of the police as “wicked, despicable and calculating”.

He said: “What happened to me was unbelievable. I kept expecting the Crown Prosecution Service to get in touch to say there had been a mistake. Without the support of my wife Fiona and my family, my colleagues in the legal profession and my GP, I don’t know whether I would have coped.

“Throughout the suspension people within the legal profession would make the effort to get in touch to offer their support.”

Mr Donoghue added: “In my view, the conduct of Durham police officers was so serious that it warrants an investigation by an outside force. I think it was wicked, despicable and calculating. There has already been an internal investigation, conducted by Supt Bruce Turnbull. I would now hope that the Independent Police Complaints Commission will order an independent inquiry conducted by an outside force.”