Two prosecution witnesses accused gardai of "putting words in their mouths" after their statements implicating two Dublin men accused of murdering a 65-year-old woman were read out at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
Conor Grogan (26), of Avonbeg Park, Tallaght, Dublin, and Timothy Rattigan (26), of St Dominick's Terrace, Tallaght, Dublin, have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mrs Joan Casey (65) at Avonbeg Park on April 3rd, 2004.
Mr Dylan Johnson, a friend of the accused, Grogan, had been arrested for having information regarding the firearms used in this incident.
Mr Johnson told gardai in his statement that he got a phone call from Conor Grogan in the early hours of April 3rd but ignored it "because they had been on the piss".
Prosecuting counsel, Mr Edward Comyn SC, read out parts of Mr Johnson's statements to the court.
"I was sleeping and I woke up at 5am with the light on and Timmy and Conor were in the room," Mr Comyn read. "Do you remember that?" he asked Mr Johnson.
"Yeah, but I was pressurised into it," he replied. Around 6.40am Mr Johnson received another call from Grogan. "I just told him to f--- off and I turned back around to sleep," he said in his statement.
Mr Johnson later said he "wasn't sure" if the two accused were in his room early that morning. "I'm not sure, they (gardai) put words into my mouth," he said.
"It must be embarrassing for you to give evidence concerning this case, is that right?" Mr Comyn asked.
"Yeah," Mr Johnson replied.
Mr Justice Paul Carney told the jury Dylan Johnson was a hostile witness, which allowed prosecution to question the witness in a different manner.
The court also heard from Mr Stephen Johnson, a friend of the accused, Grogan.
Stephen Johnson denied that anyone had threatened him in relation to this case. "They (gardai) put words into my mouth, that's what I'm saying," he said. The trial continues next Tuesday.