McBrearty claims he is under too much pressure preparing for a High Court appearance in a fortnight to attend. He is scheduled to give evidence every morning this week.

"I am under far too much pressure at the minute as I am trying to please the tribunal, I am preparing for my High Court case on 2 October and I am trying to run my business, " he told the Tribune.

It will be 11 years next month since McBrearty Snr and members of his family were framed for the 1996 murder-that-neverwas of Donegal cattle dealer Richie Barron.

The family have been at loggerheads with Justice Frederick Morris and the state for years over the issue of their legal costs.

They argue that it is unfair to them as victims in the whole affair that many of the gardai who have appeared at the tribunal have their legal costs paid by the state while the McBreartys do not have the same guarantee.

As a result of the thorny cost issue, the McBreartys have appeared at the Morris Tribunal without legal representation.

Speaking to the Sunday Tribune this weekend, McBrearty Snr said: "Bertie Ahern had a large team of lawyers and advisors with him in Dublin Castle last week but nobody cares about me going in to another tribunal representing myself. Despite the fact that I am the man that opened the can of worms, I am being made feel like the criminal." McBrearty Snr has built an office beside his house to store the large volume of documents he has relating to his protracted legal battles in the courts and with the tribunal. He asked: "How am I meant to read through so many documents to prepare for the tribunal at the same time I am preparing for my High Court case?"