Two retired detectives denied at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that they intimidated one of the Waterford women charged with stealing £51,000 from the home of a Kerry publican.
Ms Nora O'Reilly (33), and Mrs Margaret Doherty (27), of Kilbarry, Co Waterford both deny taking the money from Mr Jeremiah Griffen at Griffen's Bar in Castlemaine on August 22nd, 1999.
Det gardaí Kevin Dillon and Con Sullivan yesterday told prosecuting counsel, Ms Mary Rose Gearty BL, they were based in Tralee but were sent to Waterford to take part in the investigation of the burglary. Both witnesses told Ms Geary they were detailed to interview Mrs Doherty, who was in custody, and when they went to her cell to bring her to the interview room she began shouting abuse at them and declared she wasn't going "to any f*****g room" but after the member-in-charge at the station spoke to her she went with them.
Det Gda Sullivan described her as being "hostile, violent and shouting" and said Mrs Doherty lashed out at him with her hands when he pointed to the interview room.
Det Gda Dillon denied the suggestion by Mrs Doherty's counsel, Mr John Whelan SC, that she was intimidated by "three large gardaí" coming to her cell. He denied he pulled her out of the cell. He agreed with Mr Whelan he was aware she had already been interviewed but he didn't know it was three times.
Det Gda Dillon added that Mrs Doherty initially told gardaí she was in Waterford at a car-boot sale on the day of the crime but said she had later admitted she was in Kerry that day.
The trial continues before Judge Michael White and a jury of five women and seven men.