Shannon Court Report: Charges dismissed

clare | crime and justice | feature Tuesday July 26, 2005 20:19 by Court Reporter

Conor Cregan cleared of charges

While the actions of Mr Justice Joseph Finnegan hold the Nations attention as the Rossport Five remain in detention, an Indymedia favourite (Judge Mangan) was in action again last week - this time finding in favour of peace activist Conor Cregan who was charged with S. 6 of the Public Order Act. Court Reporter provides a blow-by-blow account of the action which sees contradictory Garda evidence, "Erased tapes, missing evidence, Conor's third arm, and the invisible red book", all playing their part in this courtroom drama.

From the Report:
Mr. Cregan : [reads] “On arrival I saw D. Sgt Joe O’Brien and Detective Garda Fahy struggle with Owen Rice and Conor Cregan” . How were they struggling?
Sgt Harran : Trying to hold on to them
Mr. Cregan : D. Sgt O’Brien said he was holding Mr. Rice.
Sgt Harran : I can’t say who was holding who.
Mr. Cregan : Who was holding Mr. Cregan?
Sgt Harran : I can’t say who was struggling with whom. Garda Culliton went to D.Sgt O’Brien, I went to Det. Fahy
Mr. Cregan : How long did it take you to get there?
Sgt Harran : We arrived at 1.15. It took 2 minutes to get to the scene.
Mr. Cregan : Where were you sitting?
Sgt Harran : In the back of the patrol car
.........................
Mr. Cregan: Where in the patrol car were you sitting when you arrived?
Garda Culltn: Front passenger.
Mr. Cregan: So you would have had a better view than Garda Harran in the back
Garda Culltn: Yes
Mr. Cregan: Did you talk to me
Garda Culltn: No
Mr. Cregan: . Why was there no verbal contact?
Garda Culltn: As I recall you were writing in a book as we were going the station.
Judge [to Mr. Cregan] : It’s a matter for you to decide, but this witness has not incriminated you, you don’t need to pursue this line, if it may incriminate you.
Mr. Cregan: That’s okay Judge. You say there was no struggling.
Garda Culltn: Correct

History of the Case:
Dec 8th 2003, December 11th 2003, December 12th 2003, Jan 17th 2004, Jan 17th 2004, Jan 18th 2004, Feb 13th 2004, Feb 13th 2004, Feb 17th 2004, Feb 18th 2004, Feb 23 2004, Feb 24 2004, March 1st 2004, May 22 2004

Erased tapes, missing evidence, Conor's third arm, and the invisible red book all played a part in this saga. The notes don't do it justice.... Defending himself, Conor Cregan had the bearing of a trial lawyer as he shredded the prosecutions case against him.

This happened two days ago, but it was a very long case, so apologies for the delay.
These notes were typed up from written notes, and are not complete, but for once, {and we don't know why} there was a stenographer in court, so we may have a full transcript in 2 weeks time.

Short version:
After umpteen court appearances, motions, requests for evidence, the case finally came to trial on Thursday 21st, in relation to a public order charge from Dec 7th 2003.
Conor, defending himself with great skill and diligence, argued that the arrest was bogus, and was only done to destroy evidence, as he was using a dictaphone at the time to record the arrest of Owen Rice. Mr Cregan argued that when the dictaphone was returned, the tape had been erased, and that this was done so that it would not contradict the Garda version of events which he labelled as perjury. In a long day that saw nine witnesses, Conor pointed out many contradictions between testimony of some Gardai and other Gardai as to what has seen, what property was present, and how he behaved. He also produced two members of the public, whose recollection of the events did not match those of the arresting detectives.
The arresting detective claimed Conor was shoving a dictaphone into his face while trying to break his grip on Owen Rice. Conor contended that this was impossible, as he had a large red book in his other hand, and had no third arm free to break anyones grip.
Both detectives denied any large red notebook was present, but another Garda testified that it was. Neither the book nor the dictaphone were listed in the custody record, and no reason was given other than forgetfulness.
At the end of a long day, the Judge spent almost five minutes explaining some of the reasons why he was dismissing the case.

Oh, and after all that, Owen Rice put on a performance on his own, explaining a few legal matters to the Judge and to the prosecution relating to his own case... read to the end!!

Formal version:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Court Report 21 July 2004
Shannon District Court (sitting in Ennis Courthouse)
DPP v Conor Cregan
Defence : Conor Cregan represented himself.
Prosecution: Inspector Tom Kennedy, of Shannon Garda Station
Presiding Judge : Joseph Mangan
Prosecution witnesses:
Det Garda Jarlath Fahy
Det Sgt Joe O’Brien
Garda Harran
Garda Culliton
Garda Daly
Garda Brigid Comerford
Defence Witnesses :
Mr. Rice
Mr. Foley
Mr. Cunningham
Mrs. Wheeler.

Mr. Cregan, was in court to answer a charge under section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 in which it was alleged that he did use threatening or abusive language at Shannon Knights car park, Shannon on 7th December 2003
Mr. Cregan had refuted the allegation from the outset and each pre-trial hearing over the past year and a half he has asked for the charges to be struck out as being utterly without foundation. He had also on these occasions asked for the court to provide assistance in recovering data from a tape which he claimed a member of the Garda Siochana had tried to erase.
The court had refused to cover the cost of having an expert try to recover the audio data. Inspector Kennedy told the court that one of his Garda witnesses was unable to attend due to illness but who had made a written statement. When asked by Mr. Cregan if a doctor’s certificate had been brought to court, the Inspector said that it had not.Mr. Cregan pointed out that the onus was on the state the provide this witness, and that he should be able to cross examine him. Mr Cregan said, that he did not consent to the statement of the absent Garda being presented in evidence without the Garda being present to be quizzed on it. The statement was not allowed as evidence.
Inspector Kennedy said that he had seven witnesses to call. This issue was still hotly contested and the judge suggested that the whole case might move along more swiftly if the issue of the Dictaphone tape was dealt with as a preliminary issure, prior to dealing with evidence of the alleged offence itself.
Inspector Kennedy said at first that it was the states position that the tape was not relevant to the case, before he eventually conceded to having it heard as a preliminary issue.
The first witness called was Detective Garda Jarlath Fahy, of Abbey Street Garda Station, Ennis. [ Sworn in at 12:50]
Inspector Kennedy asked Det. Fahy is he recalled anything about a Dictaphone that Mr. Cregan had in his possession on the night in question.Det. Fahy testified that he had taken the Dictaphone from Mr. Cregan when Mr Cregan was holding it to his face as they were arresting another man. He said that he took the Dictaphone and put it in his pocket. It was his testimony that he had the Dictaphone for about and hour, and that nobody else had it during that time. He admitted that when Mr. Cregan was released from custody, that the Dictaphone had not been returned to him. Inspector Kennedy said the said that the audio information, if there had been any on the tape, was not on it later, and Mr. Cregan was alleging that it had been erased. Det. Fahy said that he did not do anything with the tape. When asked if the dictaphone machine was working he said that he presumed it was in working condition, and that he may have turned it on to check that. He also said that “in hindsight, perhaps I should have kept it” but that in any case he returned the Dictaphone to Mr. Cregan saying “ Here Conor, there’s your Dictaphone, I forgot to give it back. Sorry”
Mr. Cregan’s cross examination lasted for about 35 minutes. Firstly he asked why Det Fahy had taken the Dictaphone from him in the first place. Det Fahy said that the disctaphone was “in my face” Conor asked him to clarify this, whether it had been shoved in his mouth, or up his nose, and Det Fahy said that it was “close” to his face, closed than the court microphone was. Conor asked “why didn’t you ask me to move it away then?” “We were affecting the arrest of Mr. Rice at the time. Mr. Cregan tried to break my grip on Mr. Rice.”
Mr. Cregan : “You say Mr. Cregan was trying to break your grip on Mr. Rice, and at the same time, was showing a Dictaphone into your face. Did Mr Cregan have anything else in his hands at the time”
Det Fahy said that he didn’t recall anything else.
Mr. Cregan held up a large, bright red book with hard stiff covers (larger than A4 size ) and asked if Det Fahy had seen the book before.
Det Fahy denied seeing it before.
Mr. Cregan then asked what Det Fahy thought Mr. Cregan was doing with the Dictaphone.
“shoving it in my face” was the answer.
When asked if he had seen seen a Dictaphone before, Det Fahy said that he had.
When asked what he thought they were used for he said that they were for recording and replaying sound.
“So,” continued Mr. Cregan, “It would be reasonable to assume that I was using the Dictaphone to record the arrest of Mr. Rice ”
Det Fahy : -“it’s possible”
Mr. Cregan asked if the Detective had previously arrested anyone for holding a Dictaphone, or if he had arrested a person who had a Dictaphone.
The detective said that he didn’t think so.
Mr. Cregan held up a metallic grey Dictaphone and asked. “Is this the Dictaphone?”
Det. Fahy said “possibly”
Mr. Cregan handed it to him for closer inspection. He said “it’s possible”
Mr. Cregan said, jokingly, that perhaps it was a good idea to take it back from Det Fahy.
At this stage the Judge said “ he has already said it was possible”
Mr. Cregan remarked that Det. Fahy had the Dictaphone for over two hours on the night in question.
Returning to the purpose of the Dictaphone, Mr .Cregan asked, that given that a Dictaphone was for recording and replaying audio, was it not reasonable to say that Mr. Cregan was using it to record the arrest of Mr. Rice on the night in question.
Det. Fahy said that this was possible “if the Dictaphone was working, if it contained a tape, if the record button had been pressed”
Mr. Cregan asked the detective if part of his job involved gathering evidence.
Det Fahy agreed that it was.
Mr. Ctregan asked Det. Fahy to him that if someone was recording an arrest, would he not see that recording as evidence. And would he have the power to use it as evidence.
Det. Fahy :- “Yes. And in hindsight, perhaps I should have”
Mr. Cregan :- You’re a trained detective, yes?
D. Fahy : Yes.
Mr. Cregan: If you had acted properly you would have collected the evidence.
D. Fahy: -I believe I did act properly.
Mr: Cregan: By not collecting the evidence. That’s pretty haphazard work. How long have you been a detective.?
D. Fahy: Since April 1998.
Mr. Cregan: And how long have you been collecting evidence?
D. Fahy : Since I started on the job 21 years ago.
Mr. Cregan: I say then, that you had a duty to collect as much evidence as possible. Can you explain to the court, the procedure of collecting evidence.
D.Fahy: If this was a murder case, I might have taken a different view towards it.
Mr. Cregan: Do you think it’s reasonable not to collect evidence relating to a case that might come before the courts?
D. Fahy. If this had been a serious case I might have taken a different view. I took the Dictaphone and I returned it in the same condition.
Mr. Cregan. That’s not what I asked you. Do you think it is reasonable not to collect evidence in a Public Order Act case?
D.Fahy repeated his previous answer.
Mr. Cregan: You’ve repeated that a number of times. I submit that it is a lie. Can you tell me what evidence you did collect?
D.Fahy: I took the Dictaphone from Mr. Cregan, and I gave it back to him.
Mr. Cregan: How would you rate your professionalism on that night? On a scale of 1-10, 1 being pretty bad and 10 being excellent…
D.Fahy. That’s not a fair question to ask me.
Mr. Cregan: Not fair to you? I’m looking at three months sentence here, and you say I’m not being fair to you?
Det. Fahy. I’d say 10/10 then
Mr. Cregan: 10? When you have evidence in your pocket and fail to admit it?
[Holds up a copy of the custody record. Copies are given to Judge, Det. Fahy, and Inspector Kennedy.] Can you read to the court, what time this was written into the custody record about the Dictaphone.
Inspector Kennedy objects but is over-ruled.
Mr. Cregan: Will you read to the judge where it is recorded?
Det. Fahy: It’s not in as evidence.
Mr. Cregan: why didn’t you hand it to the Member-In-Charge as evidence?
Det. Fahy: Forgot I had it.
Mr. Cregan: On the custody sheet, is there a place to record property of a prisoner?
Det. Fahy. No
Mr. Cregan: So what happened to the stuff from my pockets?
Det. Fahy: The Member in Charge records it.
Mr. Cregan: did the Member in charge go through my pockets?
Det. Fahy : No.
Mr. Cregan: You did... You wouldn’t want to be accused of stealing would you?
Det Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: What is the procedure then to record the property of persons detained?
Det. Fahy, It is recorded on the right hand side, under “details of actions /occurrence”
Mr. Cregan : five minutes ago you were saying the opposite, that there was no place to record this. I see some of my property listed there. Please read it for the court.
Det. Fahy: [reads] 36 euro and 50 cents, AA batteries, a wallet, a belt, gloves
Mr. Cregan: No mention of a Dictaphone. Would it not be procedure to list ALL property of a detained person?
[inaudible answer]
Mr. Cregan: Isn’t it true that there is no Dictaphone listed?
Det. Fahy: No, it’s not listed and it should be.
Mr. Cregan: So, going back to our scale of 1-10
[Judge objects to the line of question]
Mr. Cregan: Did you search your own pockets?
Det. Fahy : No. I forgot I had it.
Mr. Cregan: I put it to you, that you didn’t want that evidence put before the courts because it puts you in a bad light, puts your colleague in a bad light, and shows me to be innocent. I won’t say you destroyed that evidence, but you attempted to.
Det Fahy – I deny that.
Mr. Cregan: There’s no other explanation. After 21 years service in the Garda Siochana, you failed to put in all the evidence.
Det. Fahy: What was on the tape when it was returned is the same as what was on it when I took it.
Mr. Cregan: Are you sure your not forgetting anything...
Det. Fahy : I forgot to list it.
Mr. Cregan : I put it to you that you knew what was on that tape and you didn’t want it known. On that night when you put me in the cell. Where did you go?
Det. Fahy: Upstairs.
Mr. Cregan : To do what?
Det. Fahy: Maybe to have a cup of tea in the canteen. I put my coat on a chair. The Dictaphone was in the pocket.
Mr. Cregan : Did you take the Dictaphone out of your pocket?
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: It was in your possession the whole time?
Det. Fahy: I left the coat in the canteen.
Mr. Cregan: So, anyone could have erased it then?
Det Fahy. Yes, it’s possible.
Mr. Cregan: Would you like to shift the responsibility on to someone else?
Det Fahy: I left the coat in the canteen.
Mr. Cregan: So, I was arrested, and I went into the cell. You went upstairs and had a chance to erase the tape.
Det. Fahy: I would have had ample chance to do that, if it was what I wished.
Mr. Cregan. What did you do then?
Det. Fahy : I went to fill out charge sheets.
Mr. Cregan made an allegation about the destruction of evidence, to which Det. Fahy replied that this had already been the subject of a complaint to the Garda Siochana complaints Board.
Mr. Cregan reminded him that the Garda Siochana Complaints Board sits in Dublin, and that they were presently in a court of law, a rather different entity.
Mr Cregan: Is it not true that you took the Dictaphone from my hand, I explained the motive already. You made statements regarding the arrest which we dispute. My evidence was on that tape, which you took, which you didn’t list on the custody sheet or enter into evidence.
[inaudible reply]
Mr. Cregan : You had the motive, you had the means, you had ample opportunity.
Det. Fahy : I could have thrown it in a bin if that was the motive.
Mr. Cregan: The motive was to destroy the evidence.
Det. Fahy: I had no motive for erasing it.
Mr. Cregan: I put it to you that you had the motive and that you acted on it.
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: You had ample chance. How did it come to your attention to return it?
Det Fahy: the member in charge said Mr. Cregan was looking for his Dictaphone and I gave it back.
Mr. Cregan: Is it not true that you only gave it back when one of your colleagues challenged you on it?
Det Fahy. Yes.
Mr. Cregan: Is that not an admission of guilt
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: Just unprofessionalism
Det. Fahy: No
Mr. Cregan: Can you explain why the tape was erased
Det. Fahy: There was nothing on it.
Mr. Cregan: How do you know? Did you listen.
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: Are you telepathic?
Det. Fahy: That’s my explanation.
Mr. Cregan:That’s no explanation. I put it to you, that you brought that dictaphone away from your colleagues because of the motives I gave.
Judge Mangan to Inspector Kennedy : Do you have further witnesses or evidence in relation to the dictaphone.
IK: No.
Mr. Cregan : I have a witness, Mr. Owen Rice.
Judge Mangan: It’s now 1.30, I will adjourn until 2.30
At this stage Mr. Rice, asked the judge to clarify where he stood in regards to the bench warrant served on Mr. Rice on the court steps that morning.
Det. Joe O’Brien gave evidence of serving a warrant at the court house on foot of an order made by Judge Mangan on May 6th.
Mr. Rice to the judge : On the last occasion that I appeared, in April, there was a ...‘slight inconvenience’ where I was dragged out of court on your orders, by the Garda Siochana while making legal submission. While that was happening, apparently someone fixed the date in May.
Judge: You wrote to the court service about this?
Mr. Rice: Yes, I wrote the next day and I asked for a copy of ALL orders made by you on that occasion to be given to me. I received a reply on May 12th, so I cannot be held responsible for not being in court on May 6th as I was under the impression that I did not have to appear until July 21st.
The judge cancelled the bench warrant and adjourned for lunch until 2.35
Court, resumed at 2:44 and Mr. Rice took the stand as a witness.
Mr. Cregan: What’s this [holds dictaphone aloft]
Mr. Rice: That is my dictaphone.
Mr. Cregan: On the night of 7th December 2003, this dictaphone was taken from my person in the car park in front of the Shannon Knights. Where did it come from.
Mr. Rice: I had it in my pocket. On the occassion I was being arrested by Mr. O’Brien, there in the suit [points at Det Sgt O’Brien] leaning against a car, you got your pen out to take notes. I had pressed record on the dictaphone, verified the tape was rolling and saw the red record light was on. As I was arrested, I handed it to you and said, “there you go Con” Mister. Fahy was talking to someone on the radio or telephone. I then had my hands held behind me.
Mr. Cregan: Det Fahy says that the dictaphone was pushed into his face.
Mr. Rice: That is an absolute fabrication and an outright lie.
Mr. Cregan: How was he not in position for this to happen?
Mr. Rice: At that time, he wasn’t in a position for this to happen, he was mostly inside the car. Mr. Cregan held the dicataphone to my shoulder level [indicates] ...with Mr. O’Brien behind me.
Mr. Cregan: Is it true that Det. Fahy came up behind me?
Mr. Rice: [indicates positions] the care was here...with me against it, and you at about, oh, 30’ angle like so...Mr. Fahy would have been on your blind side. When he saw you were recording questions to Mr. O’Brien, he was all over you like a cat to take it off you.
Mr. Cregan: Were you with me in the cell?
Mr. Rice : No. I was awaiting a doctor because of injuries sustained during this allegedly lawful arrest. I was put in a downstairs office, with the door open to the corridor. Garda Daly there [indicates] was at the door watching me. I could see the corridor.
Mr. Cregan: Was Det Fahy with you?
Mr. Rice: In the car, yes. When I was brought to the station, Mr. Daly was with me, while Mr. Daly booked me in, and Mr. O’Brien spoke to me. You were moved to a cell, and I was moved to the office. There were long periods of time when Det. Fahy was not visible to me.
Mr. Cregan: Was det Sgt O’Brien visible to you?
Mr. Rice: Yes, most of the time, but in relation to Mr. Fahy, I hardly saw him. Mr. O’Brien was at the scene of my release, but not Fahy. I was released under protest as I had not received medical attention and the member-in –charge Brigid Comerford, refused to verify the whereabouts of my dictaphone.
Mr. Cregan: Thank you. Please answer the questions of Mr. Kennedy
Insp Kennedy: Why did you ask the member in charge about the dictaphone?
Mr. Rice: I knew it was the reason Mr. Cregan had been arrested.
Insp K.: You are now trying to say you knew Det Fahy had taken it.
Mr. Rice: I saw him snatch it in the car park.
Insp K.: [becoming very animated] you gave a very specific story regarding the taking of it. Yet you don’t seem specific in your question to Garda Comerford. You weren’t sure who had it.
Mr. Rice: I knew well he had it. That’s _why_ I asked her to verify it’s location and she would do no such thing.
Insp K.: I don’t believe your testimony
Mr. Rice: What part?
Insp K.: All of it
Mr. Rice: Can you be more specific? What bit do you say is not true?
Insp K.: [getting animated again] All of it. I accept none of it. I don’t believe any of it. I don’t believe that you recall it so vividly and give this quality of testimony.
Mr. Rice: [dead calm and slow] You have no basis for that statement. You have no way of knowing how well I can recall things, or what quality of testimony I am capable of . however,.. if you wish to test it. Test away.
Insp K.: You were offered a doctor or medical assistance.
Mr. Rice: I specifically asked the Member-in-Charge for it.
Insp K.: And?
Mr. Rice: She telephoned and she said he was on his way.
Insp K.: Do you recall being released.
Mr. Rice: Yes.
Insp K.: Do you recall that the member-in-charge asked you if you wanted to wait for an ambulance.
Mr. Rice: No, because it never happened.
Mr. Cregan [to Judge Mangan] : What relevance is this?
Judge Mangan [to Kennedy]: What relevance is this to the dictaphone?
Insp K: ,Ah, none.
Judge Mangan : Skip it.
Insp K.: You heard Det. Fahy’s evidence regarding how he had possession of the dictaphone, testimony given under oath.
Mr. Rice: You and I both know that it wouldn’t be the first time that a member of the Garda Siochana had perjured himself.
Judge Mangan [to Mr. Rice] : Confine yourself to this case.
Mr Cregan [to Judge] : Mr. Rice cannot give evidence as to whether Det.Fahy ‘forgot’ or not.
Mr. Rice [to Insp Kennedy]: Are you asking me to rate the credibility of Mr. Fahy’s testimony?
Insp K.: I’m challenging your story. In relation to Det. Fahy, you said he made himself scarce.
Mr. Rice: From my view.Aye.
Insp K.: He said that he went upstairs to the canteen. You were downstairs, so it has no bearing if he was absent.
Mr. Rice: When I made the member-in-charge aware that Mr. Fahy had the dictaphone, Mr. Fahy was not brought down.
Insp K.: You didn’t know that Det Fahy had it.
Mr. Rice: Of course I knew he had it. That’s why I asked the member in charge to verify it’s location, but she did not.
Insp K.: Did you see him take it. You didn’t say that earlier in your testimony.
Mr. Rice: Yes I did. I said I saw him spring all over Mr. Cregan like a cat to snatch it away from him.
Insp K.: That’s all.
At this stage Mr. Cregan asked for Det Fahy to be recalled. The time was now 3.10pm.
Mr. Cregan: Detective Fahy, is this your statement? [copies handed over]
Det. Fahy: Yes Judge
Mr. Cregan: So, if I can direct you to the 3rd sentence on page 2, can you read that sentence, down to the 5th sentence below?
Det. Fahy: [reads] “At this stage, Conor Cregan came to assist Owen Rice, and I told him not to interfere, and to move away or he would also be arrested. Conor Cregan continued to interfere, and he was trying to break my grip on Owen Rice at the same time, he was holding a dictaphone up to my face. Cregan was shouting “fuck off and leave him alone ye bastards ” I took the dictaphone from Conor Cregan and I arrested him for an offence under section 6 of the Public Order Act "
Mr. Cregan: So. “Fuck off and leave him alone ye bastards” And trying to break your grip on Mr. Rice, and at the same time holding a dictaphone to your face? Hmm.. your statement says “holding a dictaphone” and today your testimony is that it was PUSHED into your face. Which is it.
Det. Fahy: It was IN my face.
Mr. Cregan: So this statement is worthless is it?
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: the story you tell on the stand is not the story in your written statement. Is this statement true?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: So, “Fuck off and leave him alone ye bastards ye”. That’s your statement?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: So, that would have been recorded on the dictaphone if those words had been spoken.
Det. Fahy: Yes, if it was working.
Mr. Cregan: But if they weren’t on it. That would have been evidence against you of perjury.
Det. Fahy: Would be, if it had been working.
[at this stage, Mr./ Conor requested a short recess, which the judge said he would grant – he was amenable to many breaks during the day, and informed the court, that as the ar conditioning had broken down, that we may dispense with our coats. But he also asked if Mr Cregan would like to take the stand so that the judge could ask him some questions in relation to the dictaphone issue. He didn’t explain what the purpose of this unusual request was, and Mr Cregan declined it.
Mr. Cregan: Judge, I believe that it has been proven here, that I was only arrested to get the dictaphone. Inspector Kennedy has not contested that. I ask you to direct a dismissal of this charge. If not, I would ask that you grant the costs of recovery of the data from the tape, to establish my innocence and Det Fahy’s guilt of perjury. If not, I would ask that you would state a case to the Supreme Court under section 16 of the Courts of Justice Act 1947 for the opinion of the Supreme Court on the question of the recovery of this taped evidence.
Judge : I will reserve my position until I have heard the remaining evidence.
So, having aired the preliminary issue of the dictaphone and the tape, the prosecution began to set out the case for the actual charge under S. 6 [the time was now 3.34pm]
Inspector Kennedy called Det. Fahy to the stand,a nd he was re-sworn. The detective gave evidence on being on duty on Dec 7th, in an unmarked car accompanied by Det Sgt Joe O’Brien,
Inspector Kennedy: What were you doing?
Det Fahy: a mobile patrol in the car park. A car pulled out, with no lights on. Mr Rice jumped out, took a photo of me and Det. O’Brien I was still in the driver’s side of the car. I could see Owen Rice becoming aggressive so I got out of the car and went to the front of the car. At that stage Dt. Sgt O’Brien was showing his official I.D. to Owen Rice. D.Sgt O’Brien asked Owen Rice to leave in an orderly fashion. Mr.Rice then became aggressive and was arrested.
Judge : Do the charges relating to Owen Rice, relate to the same date?
Insp. Kennedy: four charges do.
Judge: Does Mr. Rice object to a simoultaneous trial?
Mr. Rice: Yes, judge, I do [see later reference to Supreme Court motions]
Judge : Okay.
Insp. Kennedy: Mr. Rice is not on trial here today. Please confine yourself in chief to the behaviour of Mr. Cregan
Det. Fahy: [inaudible answer]
Mr. Cregan: Could you speak up please detective.
Det. Fahy: Mr. Cregan tried to break my grip on Mr. Rice and held a dictaphone to my face. I then arrested him under s.6 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order Act) 1994
Insp. Kennedy: At what time did this occur?
Det. Fahy: 1.15 am
Insp. Kennedy: Were there people around?
Det. Fahy: there were people around Supermacs and the Shannon Knights pub
Insp. Kennedy: Where did Mr. Cregan come from?
Det. Fahy: From the passenger side of the car.
Insp. Kennedy: Tell the court about Mr. Cregan’s behaviour.
Det. Fahy: Mr. Cregan didn’t become aggressive until Mr. Rice was arrested. He said “fuck off ye bastards” and he tried to break my grip on Mr. Rice” I took him to the Garda station.
Insp. Kennedy: did you need help?
Det. Fahy: No. In fairness, he was not aggressive after that. I explained his arrest to the Member-in-Charge. Searched him,
Insp. Kennedy: what did you recover?
Det. Fahy: I recovered items of property which I placed on the table.
Insp. Kennedy: Please answer the questions of Mr. Cregan [time now 3.42pm]
Mr. Cregan: Garda Fahy, this again is your statement [holds aloft the statement]. You say it is true?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: Is it a false statement?
Det. Fahy: No
Mr. Cregan: Is it a full statement?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: you say Mr. Cregan came to assist Mr. Rice. How? Was it moral support?
Det. Fahy: He was pulling on my arm.
Mr. Cregan: Which arm? How?
Det. Fahy: I was holding Mr Rice, ah, and he gripped my arm and said…
Mr. Cregan: Sorry Garda Fahy, would you answer the question, or would you raise whichever arm it is you say that I grabbed.
Det. Fahy: it was the right one.
Mr. Cregan: Owen Rice already testified that you were standing to the right of him. [indicates positions] How could I reach your right arm?
Det. Fahy: I don’t agree
Mr. Cregan: [reads from statement] “I told him not to interfere, and to move away or he would also be arrested. Conor Cregan continued to interfere, and he was trying to break my grip on Owen Rice at the same time, he was holding a dictaphone up to my face. Cregan was shouting “fuck off and leave him alone ye bastards ” Is it your testimony that you said that
Det. Fahy: I told Mr. Cregan not to interfere.
Mr. Cregan: I say that you never said that, because I was not interfering with the arrest. Now, you also say that Mr. Cregan shouting “fuck off and leave him alone ye bastards ” and you arrested him. Do you have any witness to this?
Det. Fahy: Yes. Det Sgt. Joe O’Brien
Mr. Cregan: Any other witnesses? Any members of the public?
Det. Fahy: No
Mr. Cregan: Because no one else heard it. BECAUSE I NEVER SAID IT !!
Judge: there’s no need to shout. Don’t get emotional
Mr.Cregan: Sorry Judge. Det Fahy. You allege that I said “fuck off and leave him alone ye bastards”. Sure you’ve had that said to you before. Would it be correct to say that you don’t arrest everyone who says this to you.
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: I tell you that I didn’t say that, and that you have no independent witnesses. Did you look for any witnesses?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: Who?
Det. Fahy: The bouncer at the Knights
Mr. Cregan: What’s his name? Why isn’t he here? Why isn’t his name in your statement or notebook?
Det. Fahy: Forgot to note it.
Mr. Cregan: Wouldn’t it be proper procedure to write down his name?
Det. Fahy: He didn’t say anything
Mr. Cregan: He didn’t say anything. Where was he standing? How close?
Det. Fahy: about from here to that door [points to door about 30ft away]
Mr. Cregan: I’d say half that distance. If I had shouted, he would have heard it. I shouted a little earlier in court, and you all heard it. Sorry if it upset you judge
Judge : I heard it.
Det. Fahy: [answer not heard]
Mr. Cregan: No-one from the general public was intimidated, upset by this shouting or felt abused?
Det. Fahy: No judge
Mr. Cregan: Assaulted?
Det. Fahy: No
Mr. Cregan: Did you seek to see if anyone thought my behaviour was reckless?
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: did anyone come forward afterwards to say such things?
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: because I wasn’t causing a breach of the peace on Dec 7th 2003.
Det. Fahy: Not true.
Mr. Cregan: So, you say, so you would have this court believe. Why should the court take the word of a detective who doesn’t give in all the evidence or seek witnesses?
Det. Fahy: matter for the court
Mr. Cregan: What was the charge?
Det. Fahy: s.6 threatening, abusive language
Mr. Cregan: Is there not also a charge of interefering, and of not taking the direction of a garda? Why were these charges not made.
Det. Fahy: I would have had to tell Mr Cregan there were penalties involved.
Mr. Cregan: Because section 6 is a catch all, a Saturday night charge, and it was convenient to arrest me on this because there was no crime. What hand did I have up that I was trying to grab you, break your grip with?
Det. Fahy: the right one.
Mr. Cregan: Was the dictaphone not in my right hand?
Det. Fahy: No
Mr. Cregan: didn’t I have a book in my left hand? [holds up large red book]
And the dictaphone in my right hand [holds dictaphone] my hands were full.
Didn’t you snatch the dictaphone from my right hand?
Det. Fahy: [inaudible]
Mr. Cregan: I was conveyed to the Garda Station. How many were in that car.
Det. Fahy: [inaudible]
Mr. Cregan: If I was aggressive, trying to free Mr. Rice, would I not be aggressive to free myself? ...[no answer] Haven’t I an independent mind?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: Did you take the book off of me?
Det. Fahy: No.
Mr. Cregan: did you copy anything from this book?
Det. Fahy: I don’t recall any book.
Mr. Cregan: So what happened to the book in custody? To all my property?
Det. Fahy: Given to member in charge
Mr. Cregan: that’s not true is it?
Det. Fahy: Apart from the dictaphone
Mr. Cregan: And at any stage did the Member-in- Charge, Brigid Comerford ask for the dictaphone?
Det. Fahy: I don’t recall that.
Mr. Cregan: did you give her the book?
Det. Fahy: No. I don’t recall there being any book
Mr. Cregan: There’s no record of the book in the custody record
Det. Fahy: correct.
Mr. Cregan: No mention of a red book.
Det. Fahy: that’s right.
Mr. Cregan: Why is this not in the custody record? First of all, it was all my property except the dictaphone, and now another item, this large red book.
Det. Fahy: I have no recollection of any book.
Mr. Cregan: Ah, you’re beat. You’re beat. It’s mentioned in another Garda statement that I was writing in a book. What happened the property
Det. Fahy: You were searched and your property was put before the member-in-charge who logs it.
Mr. Cregan: so you do have procedures then.
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: So you failed to put the book before the member in charge. You signed the statement, and you say it is a true statement.
Det. Fahy: Yes
Mr. Cregan: If it’s not true, that would be perjury, yes?
Det. Fahy: A deliberate lie, yes.
Mr. Cregan: And you could and should be prosecuted for it yes?
Det. Fahy: Yes.
Mr. Cregan:
[It is now 4.05pm and the judge orders a recess, returning at 4.19 having made further inquiries regarding the air conditioning system.]
Inspector Kennedy calls Det. Sgt Joe O’Brien of Abbey Street Garda Station, Ennis to the stand. He gave evidence of being on duty on 7th Dec 2005 in the same car as Det Garda Jarlath Fahy
Insp K: You principally dealt with Mr. Rice, but his case is not on here today, so in relation to Mr. Cregan, what can you tell us.
DS. JOB : I was arresting Mr. Rice. I was behind him. Mr. Cregan came between Owen Rice and Det Fahy to interfere. He used some abusive language, I don’t’ recall the word,s and I haven’t noted them. He was arrested
Insp K: What was his demeanour?
DS. JOB : Agitated. He didn’t want us to take Owen Rice.
Insp K: Was there activity, were there people in the area?
DS. JOB :There was a fair amount of people in the car park
Insp K: And at the Garda Station, tell us what happened in relation to Mr. Cregan
DS. JOB : I had no dealings with him really. Det Fahy was dealing with him.
Insp K: What was the length of time in the car park?
DS. JOB : A few minutes.
Insp K: And Det Garda Fahy?
DS. JOB : He radioed for assistance. He helped me put Owen Rice in the car. Mr. Cregan used abusive language. I don’t recall them.
Insp K: please answer the questions of Mr. Cregan. [now 16.24pm]
Mr. Cregan : You heard Det Fahy’s testimony?
DS. JOB : Yes
Mr. Cregan : Do you agree with it
DS. JOB : Yes.
Mr. Cregan : Do you agree that if he perjured himself he should be prosecuted?
DS. JOB : Yes.
[at this point the judge had another 2minute recess, but we didn’t quite hear why]
Mr. Cregan : So, you agree with Det Fahy saying that he should be prosecuted if his testimony is perjurous?
Judge : That’s a question of law. The witness is here to address the facts.
Mr. Cregan : [holds aloft another statement and gives copies] Is this your statement?
DS. JOB : Yes.
Mr. Cregan : Is is a true statement?
DS. JOB : Yes
Mr. Cregan : When did you write it?
DS. JOB : Should be on statement
Mr. Cregan : Says Sunday 8th. What time?
DS. JOB : Don’t recall
Mr. Cregan : the next day. Do you know Shannon town well
DS. JOB : Reasonably well
Mr. Cregan : Where is the Shannon Knights pub?
DS. JOB : It’s in the centre of Shannon.
Mr. Cregan : What was Mr. Cregan arrested for?
DS. JOB : Section 6, standard arrest.
Mr. Cregan : Standard arrest...usually used on Saturday nights for drunken brawling etc.
DS. JOB : I’m in plain clothes, I usually don’t get involved in public order cases.
Mr. Cregan : But you’re familiar with the Public Order Act?
DS. JOB : Yes.
Mr. Cregan : Why did you say “Mr. Cregan didn’t want the Garda Siochana to take Owen Rice”
DS. JOB : because you came in the same car, because he’s your friend.
Mr. Cregan : Is it possible that I didn’t want him arrested because I believed that the arrest was unlawful?
DS. JOB : I believe it was lawful
Mr. Cregan : that’s not what I asked you. Is it possible that Mr. Cregan didn’t want MR. Rice arrested because Mr. Cregan believed that the arrest was unlawful?
DS. JOB : It’s a possible reason
Mr. Cregan : I put it to you that I didn’t try to stop the arrest. I took out my book [holds book] to write notes, Owen Rice then gave me a dictaphone to record the arrest. I put it to you that’s why I was there
DS. JOB : No, you tried to break Det Fahy’s grip.
Mr. Cregan : What’s this [holding book in left hand]
DS. JOB : A book
Mr. Cregan : For?
DS JOB: writing in
Mr. Cregan : What’s this [holding dictaphone in right hand]
DS JOB: A dictaphone
Mr. Cregan : For?
DS JOB: recording.
Mr. Cregan : Yes, that’s right. So, when you were holding Mr. Rice, he gave me a dictaphone.
DS JOB: I don’t recall that
Mr. Cregan : what was I doing with the dictaphone?
DS JOB: Holding it close to Det Garda Fahy’s face
Mr. Cregan : In his mouth?
DS JOB: I was busy with Mr.Rice
Mr. Cregan : You were holding Mr. Rice when Det Fahy radioed for help. You say I tried to break his grip. Which hand did I use?
DS JOB: I don’t know which hand. [exhange missed]
Mr. Cregan : We established that the Garda car was next to the Shannon Knights. Which side of the car were you in?
DS JOB: Left side
Mr. Cregan : Opposite to Det Fahy?
DS JOB: Yes, he came out to assist. The patrol car came on the scene then Mr. Cregan came out.
Mr. Cregan : Your statement is that I approached you while Det Fahy was on the radio.
DS JOB: No, Det Fahy was out by then.
Mr. Cregan : C’mon...how fast is he? Is he flash gordon? Is he superman, is the that fast? [no answer given] Mr. Cregan : How could Mr. Cregan prevent you from putting Mr.Rice in the car?
DS JOB: I was holding onto Mr.Rice for dear life.
Mr. Cregan : you’d given up and were waiting for back up.
DS JOB: No.
Mr. Cregan : Owen Rice had kicked the back door closed. Why didn’t Det Fahy open the door for you again? ...[no answer] ...I had a book and a dictaphone.
DS JOB: I never saw the book.
Mr. Cregan : I had my hands full [holds book and dictaphone in either hand]
DS JOB: No.
Mr. Cregan : Did Mr. Cregan speak to you?
DS JOB: I have no note of that
Mr. Cregan : Why not?
DS JOB: I was dealing with Mr. Rice
Mr. Cregan : In your NOTES you mention my arrest, why don’t you mention my alleged abusive language?
DS JOB: Didn’t record it at the time.
Mr. Cregan : Because it didn’t happen. Your statement says “Fuck off ye bastards and let my friend go”, but these words are not in your notebook. Isn’t that correct? Is that in your notes
DS JOB: I don’t have it noted in my notebook
Mr. Cregan : Because it didn’t happen. Did you write your notes with Det Fahy
DS JOB: No
Mr. Cregan : Did you write your statement with Det Fahy?
DS JOB: No. I don’t know when Det Fahy made his notes.
Mr. Cregan : Didn’t I ask you for your name
DS JOB: I don’t’ recall
Mr. Cregan : This tape, if we recover the audio data, has me asking 3 times for your name
DS JOB: I showed my official ID
Mr. Cregan : You’re a higher rank thank your colleague Det Fahy
DS JOB: Yes. I’m a Det Sgt, a higher rank.
Mr. Cregan : Are you not disappointed that your underling did not enter evidence into the custody record?
DS JOB: I accept that correct procedure would be…
Mr. Cregan : Not what I asked
DS JOB: I accept that correct proc…
Mr. Cregan : That’s not what I asked you Det Sgt.
DS JOB: I’m disappointed that he didn’t think to enter it .
Mr. Cregan : Can you tell me the name of the bouncer?
DS JOB: No. I didn’t go near the bouncer.I went to Supermacs seeking footage from their CCTV.
Mr. Cregan : Who did you speak to there
DS JOB: A polish girl I think, I didn’t get a name. There’s no CCTV at Supermacs showing the outside
Mr. Cregan : There is a CCTV camera at Supermacs showing the car park
DS JOB: Not showing the car park.
Mr. Cregan : did you see it?
DS JOB: Yes
Mr. Cregan : but you’ve no written record?
DS JOB: No
Mr. Cregan : Where was Mr. Rice’s car?
DS JOB: Near the Knights pub
Mr. Cregan : Not outside supermacs?
DS JOB: The CCTV shows the area around the outside of the door.
Mr. Cregan : I’ve seen that camera, it points out. It shows loads. It might show people’s heads turning towards the car park, show who was around. Why was this CCTV not provided?
DS JOB: Didn’t show the car park. Contained no evidence
Mr. Cregan : Isn’t it for the court to decide the evidence?
DS JOB: It’s for us to collec evidence and bring it to the court.
Mr. Cregan : Did you mention it to the DPP?
DS JOB: No
Mr. Cregan : Why not?
DS JOB: It’s a summary matter
Mr. Cregan : What does that mean, a summary matter?
DS JOB:Eh, there’s people here better qualified to explain that than me
Judge : he’s saying he deemed it to be a relatively minor case.
Mr. Cregan : So when you were collecting evidence, what did you collect?
DS JOB: Statements from the members of an Garda Siochana who were involved.
Mr. Cregan : Did you collect statements from the public?
DS JOB: No.
Mr. Cregan : Did you ever notice this sign in Shannon [holds up a sign that reads something like “Did you witness an incident in the Shannon Knights car park on 7/12/03 at ...o clock. Please contact Conor Cregan at ... Or Owen Rice”
DS JOB: I’m not based in Shannon.
Mr. Cregan : Why were you there that night then?
DS JOB: I was on duty for an Anti-War protest
Mr. Cregan : When did your shift start?
DS JOB: at 2pm
Mr. Cregan : and you were still on duty at 1.10am?
DS JOB: It was a long shift
Mr. Cregan : What time did you go to supermacs?
DS JOB: I don’t recall
Mr. Cregan : and you didn’t note it. Why? Were you very tired?
DS JOB: No
Mr. Cregan : Irritable
DS JOB: No
Mr. Cregan : What was your demeanour or mood?
DS JOB: I don’t recall
Mr. Cregan : I do. Did you go to Supermacs after work?
DS JOB: Don’t recall
Mr. Cregan : at 3am? 4am?
DS JOB: Don’t recall
Mr. Cregan : What time does Supermacs shut?
DS JOB: I don’t know
Mr. Cregan : I brought witnesses. I put up this sign [holds up sign again] why didn’t you seek statements from members of the public?
DS JOB: [not heard]
Mr. Cregan : I say you didn’t seek public witnesses because you didn’t want them contradicting your statement.
DS JOB: No. the statement is true.
Mr. Cregan : The public would have contradicted your statement and shown perjury. No one came forward and said they’d felt intimidated, or saw reckless behaviour. Isn’t that right?
DS JOB: Right.
Mr. Cregan : Because I was not abusive or insulting and I was merely there with this book [holds up book] and this dicataphone [holds up dictaphone in other hand] to record the arrest.
[witness is dismissed. It is now 5.02pm]
The next witness was Sgt Mike Harran He gave details of being on duty on the night in question with Garda Daly and Garda Culliton. He said that they received a call from “Charlie Five Eight” the car of Detective Sgt O’Brien and Det Fahy, who radioed that they needed assistance with a prisoner.
Sgt Harran said that he saw two members struggling with Mr. Cregan and another man, whom they were trying to get into a car. He said he saw a struggle between four people but couldn’t say who was struggling with whom.
Insp K: did you come back to the Garda Station with Mr.Cregan?
Sgt Harran: No.
Insp. K. : Did you see him later
Sgt Harran : In the public office of the Garda Station. I heard some information about a dispute regarding property, but I wasn’t told anything about it.
Insp. K : Please answer the questions of Mr. Cregan [it is 17:05]
Mr. Cregan : Are you stationed in Ennis?
Sgt Harran : Yes
Mr. Cregan : Do you know D.Sgt O’Brien and D.Garda Fahy?
Sgt Harran : Yes
Mr. Cregan : did you make or see their statements, or moke notes with them?
Sgt Harran : No. I made my notes by myself.
Mr. Cregan : Is this your statement
Sgt Harran : yes
Mr. Cregan : [reads] “On arrival I saw D.Sgt Joe O’Brien and Detective Garda Fahy struggle with Owen Rice and Conor Cregan” . How were they struggling?
Sgt Harran : Trying to hold on to them
Mr. Cregan : D. sgt O’Brien said he was holding Mr. Rice
Sgt Harran : I can’t say who was holding who.
Mr. Cregan : Who was holding Mr. Cregan?
Sgt Harran :I can’t say who was struggling with whom. Garda Culliton went to D.Sgt O’Brien, I went to Det Fahy
Mr. Cregan : how long did it take you to get there?
Sgt Harran : We arrived at 1.15. It took 2 minutes to get to the scene.
Mr. Cregan : Where were you sitting?
Sgt Harran : In the back of the patrol car
Mr. Cregan : by what entrance did you come into the car park?
Sgt Harran : by the side beside the Knights
Mr. Cregan : So, the two men sitting in front had a better view.
Sgt Harran : probably
Mr. Cregan :and the time between the radio call and arrival was less than 2 minutes
Sgt Harran : Yes.
Mr. Cregan : and the time to get out of the car?
Sgt Harran : I don’t time myself getting out of cars, a few seconds to get out and get over to the scene.
Mr. Cregan : and in these seconds you saw Owen Rice, Conor Cregan, Det. Sgt Joe O’Brien, and Det. Fahy?
Sgt Harran : Yes
Mr. Cregan : Then you saw Owen ice running towards his car and get into his car?
Sgt Harran : Yes
Mr. Cregan : did you see other people?
Sgt Harran : Yes.
Mr. Cregan : Did they make complaints?
Sgt Harran : Not to me.
Mr. Cregan : did you interview them?
Sgt Harran : No
Mr. Cregan : So, driving at high speed to respond to this minor incident, you …
Sgt Harran : I wasn’t driving.
Mr. Cregan : I put it to you that there are things in your statement that are not true
Sgt Harran : it’s true
Mr. Cregan : I didn’t struggle. I had a book in one hand and a dictaphone in the other [holds both] Was I struggling?
Sgt Harran : yes
Mr. Cregan : No. Was I arrested at this stage?
Sgt Harran : [not heard]
Mr. Cregan : Because, Det. Fahy said that when I was arrested, I had – all of a sudden – stopped struggling. I put it to you thatyou didn’t arrive until Mr. Rice was in the car, and I was arrested standing up.
[It’s now 5.15] Garda Culliton is called and sworn. He was based in Shannon at the time, but has since been transferred.
Insp K. : You were on duty on the 7/12/2003 with Garda Harran and Garda Daly. What did you see, principally in relation to Mr. Cregan?
Garda Culltn: He had been arrested by D.G Fahy as we arrived. I didn’t see him offer any resistance.
Insp K. : And on the way to the Garda Station?
Garda Culltn: I sat beside him. He didn’t say much
Insp K: Please answer the questions of Mr. Cregan [it’s now 7.17]
Mr. Cregan: You say you didn’t see me offer resistance.
Garda Culltn: No.
Mr. Cregan: Where in the patrol car were you sitting when you arrived?
Garda Culltn: Front passenger.
Mr. Cregan: . So you would have had a better view than Garda Harran in the back
Garda Culltn: Yes.
Mr. Cregan: . did you talk to me
Garda Culltn: No
Mr. Cregan: . Why was there no verbal contact?
Garda Culltn: As I recall you were writing in a book as we were going the station.
Judge [to Mr. Cregan] : It’s a matter for you to decide, but this witness has not incriminated you, you don’t need to pursue this line, if it may incriminate you.
Mr. Cregan: . That’s okay Judge. You say there was no struggling.
Garda Culltn: correct
Mr. Cregan: .Where did you first encounter Mr. Cregan?
Garda Culltn: In the car park after he had been arrested, standing with Det Fahy.
Mr. Cregan: .And my demeanour?
Garda Culltn: You were quiet.
Mr. Cregan: Thank you Garda [ Time is 5.20pm]
Inps Kennedy then called Garda Daly to the stand. He testified that he was on duty with Sgt. Harran and Garda Culliton on the night in question.
Insp K. : Can you tell us, in relation to Mr. Cregan, what you observed?
Garda Daly: I drove the garda patrol car to the scene, I saw Mr. Cregan was under arrest, as I saw it, satanding with Det. Fahy. When I was satisfied that Det. Fahy didn’t need assistance, I went to assist with Det. Sgt O’Brien with Mr. Rice.
Insp K. : And Mr. Cregan?
Garda Daly: I saw no resistance from him. He was placed in our car with Garda Culliton. I didn’t see much of him on the way to the station, as I was driving and couldn’t look back, but I knew he was in the car.
Insp K. : Did you see any book?
Garda Daly: No.
Insp K: Please answer the questions of Mr. Cregan [ 5.21pm]
Mr. Cregan: You were stationed at Shannon at the time?
Garda Daly: Yes.
Mr. Cregan : You’ve since been transferred?
Garda Daly : Yes. [stands down]
Inspector Kennedy calls Garda Brigid Comerford to the stand at 5.22pm . She confirmed that she was on duty in Shannon Garda station as the member-in-charge on the night in question.
Insp K : Will you tell the court what happened?
Gda Cford: I was informed by Det. Fahy that he had arrested the prisoner under section 6 of the public order act.
Insp K : You completed the custody record?
Gda Cford: Yes, I completed it.
Insp K : What happened?
Gda Cford: The prisoner arrived at 1.19 am with Det Fahy. Det Fahy asked him his name, date of birth and address. Det Fahy informed me of the charge, the time and location of the arrest. I asked Mr. Cregan if he wanted to contact a solicitor. He gave the number of a Shannon legal support.