A Detective Garda told the Special Criminal Court today that protected witness Russell Warren was 'in extreme fear' for his own safety after he agreed to give evidence for the State in the Veronica Guerin murder trial.
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Mr John Gilligan
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Detective Garda Bernie Hanley said that Russell Warren was given full time security by the gardai after the house of another protected witness Charles Bowden was burned down in April, 1997.
He said that Warren was taken into custody once he was charged with various offences in August, 1997.
Asked by Mr Justice Diarmuid O' Donovan, presiding, if he was worried that the fear would drive Warren to get out of the country, Detective Garda Hanley said it was 'at the back of my mind' but he added: 'Overall it was my firm belief that he would give evidence in court.'
The Detective Garda said that he thought Warren was 'a more jittery type of fellow' and not as relaxed as Charles Bowden. He said that he felt Bowden was a more clever man than Warren.
He denied suggestions by defence counsel Mr Terence Mc Donald QC that money he returned to both Bowden and Warren was payment for their agreement to give statements to the gardai.
Detective Garda Hanley said that the money belonged to the men and he was returning it as requested to do by the incident room at Lucan Garda Station.
'They were facing serious charges. If they were willing to give information about other members of the gang I was willing to take it,' he said.
Detective Garda Hanley said that when he returned with Bowden from City Airport in London in March, 1997, Bowden said he would give evidence against other people and that he did not want anything in return.
'He has not wavered from that since,' he added.
Examined by prosecuting counsel Mr Peter Charleton SC, Detective Garda Hanley said he recognised the accused John Gilligan and Russell Warren on a security video taken by a bank in Lucan two days before the Guerin murder.
It was the thirty second day of the trial of John Gilligan (48), with addresses at Corduff Avenue, Blanchardstown, Dublin; Jessbrook Equestrian Centre, Mucklon, Enfield, Co Kildare; and HM Prison Belmarsh, London, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Sunday Independentcrime reporter Veronica Guerin(37) at Naas Road, Clondalkin, Dublin on June 26th, 1996.
Gilligan also denies fifteen other counts alleging the importation of cannabis and firearms and ammunition offences.
The prosecution has claimed that John Gilligan was 'in control and command' of a criminal gang that imported and distributed large amounts of cannabis and that he organised the murder of Ms Guerin.
The trial continues tomorrow.