A man charged with making unwarranted demands with menaces told the court the victim claimed to be a member of the IRA.
Rossa O'Donovan (30), King Street, Dungarvan, Co Waterford, and his brother James O'Donovan (32), Cathal Brugha Street, also in the town, were charged with the alleged intimidation of Fr Michael Kennedy at Fenor parochial house, Co Waterford, on May 7th, 2003.
James O'Donovan pleaded guilty, while his younger brother claimed to have no part in the offence.
It is alleged that the brothers demanded €800 from the priest to pay drug dealers in Limerick and that if he did not pay, they would claim he sexually abused them.
Rossa O'Donovan told Justice Michael O'Shea that he called to the house with his brother to collect money owed to James, a former groundsman at the house.
Rossa O'Donovan, on the day in question, went into the city and met James, who mentioned that Fr Kennedy owed him money for work he had done.
Rossa O'Donovan said Fr Kennedy had told him to return later as he did not have that kind of money and would have to go to the bank.
When the accused returned with his brother, he was met by a much bigger man.
The defendant said another garda approached him after he had returned to his car.
"He put a revolver through the window and I got a fright because I didn't know he was a guard," he added.
"Fr Kennedy had told me he was in the IRA and to tell my brother not to call around.
"We got a head start and had been chased 10 miles when we saw the flashing light on top of the car," said Rossa O'Donovan.
He "felt relieved that it was the guards and not the IRA".
The trial continues today.