Garda public service vehicle inspectors have told the jury in a £151,000 fraud conspiracy trial they found no signs of impact damage on a Scania truck examined in Sligo station.
The jury on day-six of the trial in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court of retired garda Mr Desmond McGonigle (58), Knockvicar, Boyle, Co Roscommon, and Mr James Murphy (44), a lorry driver, Main Street, Castlebellingham, Co Louth, was told the truck had been stopped in the Sligo area.
The accused men deny involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the Guardian/PMPA by falsely pretending a traffic accident occurred at Annaduff, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim, on January 28th, 1996.
The prosecution has described it as "a dramatic accident that never happened" between a Rover car and a Scania truck.
The jury has been told the accused are alleged to have conspired together and with others, including businessman Mr Michael Byrne, Sligo Road, Longford; Mr Michael McDonald, Riverstown, Dundalk, a director of Portfleet Ltd, owners of the Scania transporter, driven by Mr Murphy; and Mr Jeremiah O'Donovan, Fairview Terrace, Birr, who was the Rover driver.
Sgt PJ Gallagher told prosecuting counsel, Mr SeáGuerin, that damage marks on the chassis of the Scania transporter he examined had been placed there manually and not by impact.
Sgt Gallagher told Ms Caroline Cummings, for Mr Murphy, there were 17 figures in the chassis number and the last seven would refer specifically to this vehicle. The final four figures were on a tab placed in the cab in the Netherlands, where that part of the Scania was sprayed to ensure it was reunited with the chassis.
Retired sergeant Edward Nolan told prosecuting counsel, Mr George Birmingham SC (with Mr Guerin), he also examined a Scania truck and found no sign of any impact damage to the cab of the vehicle.
The hearing continues.