The Cork Garda Choir paid for video surveillance to be provided by a private security company on the home of its accompanist, Ms Ursula O'Sullivan, because the house had been interfered with on a number of occasions, Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday.
It also emerged during cross-examination by Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, defending, that a circular containing derogatory remarks about the Cork Garda Choir appeared in MacCurtain Street Garda station, where Det Garda James P. O'Sullivan was stationed. It was rumoured that he had placed it there.
Garda O'Sullivan, from Kingsford Park, Grange, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of causing criminal damage to Ms O'Sullivan's (no relation) house at Robinscourt, Togher, Co Cork, in October 1996.
Mr O'Carroll asked Garda Michael Tierney, who has been a member of the choir since 1979, if he was aware that Garda O'Sullivan was suing for defamation and that Ms Ursula O'Sullivan was involved in this.
The witness replied there was no question of him suing the Garda Choir. "I do not know if he was going to sue anyone."
Ms O'Sullivan joined the choir as accompanist in 1987 and Garda O'Sullivan was a member since 1980.
He was chairman for two years in 1989 and 1991 but failed to be re-elected the following year. He resigned in September 1993.
Garda Tierney said he met a retired Garda inspector, Mr Pat Coogan, and asked him about the interference at Ms O'Sullivan's home.
He told the witness the Garda Choir had arranged for cameras to be placed by Chubb Electronic at the side of the house in Robinscourt.
The film was incorporated in the Garda investigation.
Asked about the surveillance on the house Garda Tierney told Mr O'Carroll: "We were looking out for the interest of the person who lived there and who was a member of the Cork Garda Choir."
Judge A.G. Murphy asked: "Was she the only one to have surveillance? Why was it placed there? Was there some reason?"
Garda Tierney said: "The lady had a problem with interference at her house.
"There had been interference before, and that was why the camera was there."