The trial of a barrister charged with intimidating a potential witness in a fraud case began yesterday.
Mr Pádraig Cullinane (43), of Courthouse Chambers, Washington Street, Cork, pleaded not guilty to intimidating witness Ms Caroline Setini at Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
The alleged incident occurred on November 14th, 2002, at the Circuit Court on Camden Quay in the city centre.
Prosecuting barrister Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, told the jury that Ms Setini was sitting in the body of the court on the day in question. He said they would hear evidence from her and also from a number of other witnesses sitting near her during the trial.
Her estranged husband was before the court in relation to social welfare offences. Ms Setini, of Comeragh Park, The Glen, Cork, had been summoned by the prosecution and also by her husband's counsel to give evidence in the case.
During a break in proceedings it is alleged that Mr Cullinane and a solicitor, Mr Tom Shanahan, who were both representing her husband, approached her.
During her evidence Ms Setini said one of the men told her that they wished to talk to her. She could not recall exactly who spoke to her. Following this initial approach she spoke to the State's solicitor who told her that she did not have to talk to the men.
At a second break when Judge Patrick Moran, who was hearing the case, left the bench Mr Cullinane said to the woman: "It appears you do not wish to speak to me." In reply Ms Setini said she preferred not to enter into discussion with her husband's defence team.
It is claimed by the witness that Mr Cullinane then said: "Do you realise if you take the stand you can be prosecuted." The defence barrister went on to ask Ms Setini who had paid for her house in Comeragh Park.
It is claimed that Mr Cullinane then said: "How will you tell your daughter that you put her daddy in jail."
Ms Setini said: "I felt extremely shaky, very scared. I felt I couldn't, I wouldn't take the stand. I was very scared of taking the stand. I was very intimidated by the accused."
The case continues.