A Garda detective inspector and a separated mother of four who were separately arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act have taken High Court proceedings suing the State for damages.
Both claim they were interrogated and detained over a weekend.
They claim they were arrested separately in Limerick on a Friday evening in 1991 and brought to a Dublin Garda station where they were interrogated and detained until the following Sunday.
The proceedings have been taken by Mr Joe Walsh (61), now retired, Oaklawn Drive, Dromin, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and Ms Kay Bedford (58), Sir Harry's Mall, Limerick. They are claiming damages for alleged false imprisonment and slander by conduct (taking away their character).
Ms Bedford's claim is against Det Insp Anthony Fennessy; the Minister for Justice, Ireland and the Attorney General.
Mr Walsh's action is against the same defendants, as well as against former Garda Assistant Commissioner Thomas A. Sloyan.
Opening the action yesterday, Mr John McMenamin SC, for the plaintffs, told Mr Justice Quirke and a jury that Ms Bedford knew Mr Walsh but that there was nothing improper whatsoever in their relationship. At 7.45 p.m. on September 27th, 1991, a garda had knocked on the door of Ms Bedford's house. She was baffled and asked the garda to identify himself. He said he was Sgt Gerry O'Shea and produced a warrant to search the premises. Ms Bedford had no involvement with politics or criminal activity and thought there must be some mistake.
About eight gardaí came in and searched the premises, turning the place "upside down". Ms Bedford was told she was under suspicion of being a member of the IRA, which baffled her even more. She was put into a Garda car and brought at speeds of up to 120 m.p.h. to the Bridewell Garda station in Dublin where she was told she was under arrest under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act.
Mr McMenamin said that, after some questioning by gardaí, Ms Bedford was put into a cold cell where she spent a sleepless night. She was again questioned on the Saturday and put in the cell that night. She was released on the Sunday morning.
Counsel said that on the same day as Ms Bedford was arrested, Mr Walsh, who was a scene-of-crime officer, was in a Limerick Garda station. He was approached by Det Insp Fennessy and told he was under arrest under Section 30. Mr Walsh knew a number of people involved in Sinn Féin but he would say he had no relationship whatsoever with Sinn Féin or the IRA, counsel said.
Mr Walsh was brought by high speed to Dublin and put in a cell in the Bridewell. He was interrogated and asked about his relationship with Ms Bedford and if she was involved with the IRA. He was never told why he was arrested. He was detained on the Friday night, interrogated through the Saturday and released on the Sunday morning. He was suspended until the following October 17th.
Det Insp Fennessy, in his defence in the Walsh case, denies the claims and pleads that if Mr Walsh was arrested, it was executed in the course of Det Insp Fennessy's duty. In the Walsh case, all the defendants plead that the plaintiff's arrest and detention were at all times lawful.
It is pleaded that in August/September 1991, the Garda authorities became suspicious that sensitive information about Garda activities and operational matters in Limerick and the south west area was being divulged to the IRA.
In the Bedford case, Det Insp Fennessy denies the claims. The other defendants admit Ms Bedford was arrested on suspicion of membership of the IRA.
In evidence, Ms Bedford said she knew nothing about the IRA and even today she did not know anything about them. On the day of her arrest, gardaí came into the house and moved in all directions. Nobody would tell her what the warrant was for.
The hearing continues.