A Belfast man accused of the capital murder of a garda 18 years ago ran from a Garda station in Mayo after his arrest in connection with a bank robbery three years ago, the Special Criminal Court has been told.
Garda Willie Kavanagh told the court that while Mr Sean Hughes was being searched at Swinford Garda station on May 16th, 1997, he ran out a side door. He was chased by gardai and brought back to the station. Garda Kavanagh was present when Mr Hughes was photographed and fingerprinted.
The court has been told that Mr Hughes was arrested in Swinford, Co Mayo, in connection with a bank robbery in the town that day. Earlier Sgt John O'Sullivan said Mr Hughes refused to give his name or address but was identified by a tattoo on his arm. Sgt O'Sullivan said he was aware that Mr Hughes was wanted for questioning about the murder of Garda Patrick Reynolds in 1982.
The gardai were giving evidence in a "trial within a trial" to decide on the admissibility of alleged verbal admissions made by Mr Hughes relating to the murder of Garda Reynolds, while he was in custody at Swinford in May 1997. Mr Hughes's lawyers are challenging the admissibility of the alleged admissions and the legality of his detention under the Offences Against the State Act at Swinford Garda station.
It was the 11th day of the trial of Mr Hughes (42), of Albert Terrace, Belfast, who denies the capital murder of Garda Reynolds (23) at Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, Co Dublin, on February 20th, 1982. The charge carries a mandatory sentence of 40 years' imprisonment without remission.
He also denies the theft of £62,100 from a bank in Askeaton, Co Limerick, on February 18th, 1982, receiving stolen cash and the unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition with intent to endanger life in Tallaght on February 20th, 1982.
The prosecution claims gardai surprised a number of people with the proceeds of a bank robbery in Askeaton and a number of guns in the flat at Avonbeg Gardens. Garda Reynolds was killed by a shot in the back as he tried to flee from a gunman. The trial continues today.