Gardai have denied a claim by a Swiss woman charged with money-laundering that they had threatened to get the IRA to burn down her house if she did not co-operate with them.
Defence counsel, Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, yesterday alleged gardai made the threat against his client, Ms Maria Bernadette Jehle (47), while taking a statement from her in custody.
Ms Jehle, with an address at The Priory, Ballymore, Cobh, is charged with handling a total of £290,000 on two dates in 1996 and 1997, knowing it to be the proceeds of crime.
Mr O'Carroll made the allegation yesterday during the 26th day of Ms Jehle's trial at Cork Circuit Criminal Court during cross-examination of a State witness, Det Supt Martin Callinan.
Ms Jehle told gardai in her statement at Midleton Garda station: "I know the money is wrong but I know it is not drugs money, 100 per cent." Mr O'Carroll claimed his client gave that statement only because gardai had threatened and bullied her during questioning after her arrest on May 16th, 1997.
He asked Det Supt Callinan: "Did you say to her that the IRA would be set loose on her and her house would be burnt down?" Det Supt Callinan rejected the allegation. "I did not engage in such outrageous conduct, nor would I allow any member with me engage in such outrageous conduct."
Mr O'Carroll also claimed Det Supt Callinan took off his shoe, began slapping it off his palm and told Ms Jehle he was going to have to hit someone and she was the only one in the room.
Det Supt Callinan again denied the allegation and said Det Sgt John McCann was also present during the interview. He had never controlled or guided Ms Jehle's statement. He had simply recorded faithfully what she had said. He also denied threatening Ms Jehle that she would be jailed for 14 years and that she would be deported.
A co-accused, Mr Gunter Hollman, also with an address at The Priory, Ballymore, Cobh, is charged with handling a total of £130,000 in 1996 knowing it to be the proceeds of crime. The case continues.