Protected witness Charles Bowden agreed "unconditionally" to give evidence without any offer of immunity from prosecution for the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin, the Special Criminal Court was told today.
Detective Inspector John O'Mahony said that Bowden, who is currently serving a sentence for drugs and firearms offences, and will be called as a State witness in the trial of Mr John Gilligan, agreed on March 18th, 1997 to give evidence after he was back in custody in Ireland.
It is the 11th day of the trial of Mr Gilligan (48), who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sunday Independentcrime reporter Ms Veronica Guerin (37) at Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin, on June 26th, 1996.
The Detective Inspector said Bowden had absconded to England while on bail in early 1997 and had returned in garda custody on March 10th of that year.
He told Gilligan's counsel Mr Michael O'Higgins SC that there had been no conversation about immunity from prosecution for the Guerin murder before he agreed to make a statement to gardaí and to give evidence.
He said there were no preconditions and Bowden said he would give evidence if required. "Charles Bowden's agreement to give evidence was unconditional," he added.
The Detective Inspector said that the DPP decided to grant Bowden immunity from prosecution for the Guerin murder on July 4th, 1997.
The trial continues this afternoon.