A Limerick teenager refused to give evidence in a high-profile murder trial at a time when "one of the most serious criminal groupings in the State" was operating a regime of terror in the estate where he lived.
David Murphy, of Lee Estate, pleaded guilty yesterday to contempt of court at the Liam Keane murder trial on October 3rd, 2003, at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
The murder trial collapsed after Murphy, now aged 20, and other people denied making statements identifying Mr Keane as the killer of Eric Leamy (19). Mr Leamy died on August 28th, 2001, after a fatal stab wound.
Liam Keane, who was charged with his murder, walked free from the Central Criminal Court after the DPP ordered that a nolle prosequi should be entered with his presumption of innocence intact.
Following the collapse of the trial, Mr Keane gave a two-fingered salute to the media outside the court.
Limerick Circuit Court heard yesterday that seven people were arrested in connection with the collapse of the murder trial, and three were charged.
Judge Carroll Moran was told that Murphy - present at the murder scene on the night of Mr Leamy's death - was the only person who refused outright to give evidence at the Central Criminal Court during the murder trial, despite having given interviews to gardaí.
Two other people who alleged they could not remember what they saw on the night were charged with perjury after Mr Justice Paul Carney accused them of suffering from "collective amnesia".
The court heard yesterday that Murphy told a garda who called in October 2003 to serve him with a witness summons "that he would do six months in jail than go to court".
Supt John Scanlon agreed that Murphy - he was 16 at the time of Mr Leamy's murder - was "very afraid" when Mr Keane went on trial. "I have to accept there was a substantial amount of fear among the witnesses in this matter."
Judge Moran adjourned the case until tomorrow when a sentencing date is expected.