A landowner and businessman threatened "a contract" would be put on a Chief State Solicitor's official if a High Court bail application was opposed in 1996, a Central Criminal Court jury has been told.
Mr Michael Deighan (74), of St Margaret's, Co Dublin, pleaded not guilty to attempting to obstruct Mr Liam Fenlon in the course of his duty on May 27th, 1996, and to contempt of court by issuing a threat that Mr Fenlon would be subject to violence if a bail application was not granted.
Mr Deighan denied the allegations. He said he did not approve of court officials being threatened and wasn't "inclined that way".
The hearing continues before Mr Justice Carney and a jury.