The Special Criminal Court has asked for a report by the Garda Internal Investigation Section into a series of telephone conversations in 1996 between a Garda detective and the Attorney General, Mr Michael McDowell. The conversations related to the detective's visit to the home of John Gilligan, the man accused of murdering journalist Veronica Guerin.
The court was asked yesterday by Gilligan's counsel, Mr Eugene Grant QC, to subpoena Mr McDowell and Supt Michael Guiney to give evidence about the incident.
The court has heard that Det Garda John Joseph O'Shea had four telephone conversations with Mr McDowell, who was then a senior counsel and TD, in July 1996 about his visit to Gilligan's house.
Mr Peter Charleton SC, prosecuting, said Det Garda O'Shea went with another man, a salesman, to Gilligan's house before the Guerin murder. He said the detective had not identified himself as a member of the Garda. He had a conversation with Gilligan but the prosecution had not sought to introduce this or anything arising from the meeting as evidence.
The matter had been investigated by Supt Guiney of the Garda Internal Investigation Section but there were no statements or memorandums in existence relating to it.
Mr Justice O'Donovan said the court could not say whether Mr McDowell and Supt Guiney had evidence to offer which might be relevant to the case as they had no statements from either of them.
The judge said the court would look at any report that Supt Guiney had prepared in relation to his investigation. If there was no such report, the court requested that Supt Guiney prepare one detailing the investigation he carried out and the court would then consider its relevance.
Mr Grant said the defence was entitled to have access to material arising from the investigation as it might have bearing on a possible application to stay the proceedings against Gilligan. The court adjourned the hearing until next Friday and said it will then consider Mr Grant's application.
Gilligan (48), with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchards town, Dublin; Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare; and HM Prison Bel marsh, London, is charged with murdering Ms Guerin on June 26th, 1996.