The trial of a suspended Donegal Garda sergeant began at Letterkenny Circuit Court yesterday.
Sgt John White, Dreenan, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, faces three charges of making false statements to gardaí on three dates in 1998 and three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice between June and December 1998.
The former Raphoe-based garda pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The State's case, put forward by Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC, alleged that false statements made by Mr Bernard Conlon of Cartron Bay, Sligo, were "fabricated because of a conversation between John White and Mr Conlon". The court heard the two men met after Mr Conlon made a complaint that he was not served supper in Mr Frank McBrearty's nightclub in Raphoe and Sgt White agreed to look into it.
"He [ Sgt White] was on to me about late drinking in Frankie's Nightclub and would I be interested in going as a witness for the State in relation to Frank McBrearty serving drink after hours. I said I would," Mr Conlon told the court. The following Saturday night Mr Conlon's name was taken in Frankie's Nightclub when gardaí visited it after hours and found him drinking.
He said the next day Sgt White rang and congratulated him and told him not to worry about his name being taken.
The court heard that a short time after that Sgt White came to Mr Conlon's Sligo home in an unmarked Garda car and gave him either £200 or €200.
Mr Conlon was called as a witness in a licensing law prosecution against Mr McBrearty.
The case continues.