A murder case defendant told a jury in the Central Criminal Court yesterday he "never used a weapon on another human being" in his life and that he was innocent of the crime.
"I had nothing to do with that hideous crime," he said. "I love animals so I wouldn't hurt another human being."
Mr Joseph Delaney (54), formerly of La Rochelle, Naas, Co Kildare, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Mark Dwyer (23) on or about December 14th, 1996.
He has also pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning Mr Dwyer and detaining him against his will at Foster Terrace, Ballybough, Dublin, on December 14th, 1996.
The prosecution alleges Mr Dwyer was shot dead, after being tortured for a number of hours, in a revenge killing, after 40,000 ecstasy tablets owned by the defendant went missing. The court previously heard the drugs had a street value of up to £160,000.
Mr Delaney told the court he was "an honest man", "a good father" and "a good Catholic" who was not well known to gardai.
He later confirmed to Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, that he had been convicted in 1995 under the Sexual Offences Act of allowing premises to be used as a brothel.
He also admitted having convictions for common assault and dangerous and drunken driving.
Asked in cross-examination if several prosecution witnesses were lying, Mr Delaney said their testimony was "not all lies but some of it was exaggerated".
He said "certain people" who had left the court for refreshment breaks while giving evidence were drug-users and they "weren't actually going to the toilet".
He said it was a "strong possibility they were taking coke so they could answer questions".
Mr Delaney said that early on Saturday, December 14th, 1996, his son, Scott, and a number of armed and masked men arrived at his home in Naas, Co Kildare, with Mr Dwyer who was hooded and bound.
He said Mr Dwyer was not beaten at his home and he did not know why the gang brought him to his home that night.
Asked why a prosecution witness, Ms Adrienne McGuinness, was "in shock" after the gang left and why she asked if Mr Mark Dwyer was alive or dead, Mr Delaney said: "Why she said that is beyond me. I reassured her nothing would happen to him."
Evidence for the defence concluded yesterday and summing up by both sides, before Mr Justice Quirke and a jury, will begin on Monday.