The jury in the State's first money-laundering case retired to consider its verdict yesterday evening. Judge Patrick Moran told them: "You've seen the witnesses, now you must ask who is reliable, who's not."
Ms Maria Bernadetta Jehle (47), of Cobh, Co Cork, has denied handling money knowing it was the proceeds of others' criminal activity.
Judge Moran said a key issue was the level of Ms Jehle's English when she was arrested in May 1997. Ms Jehle claimed the gardai pressurised her into signing her statement by threats of jail and the IRA burning her house.
"You must decide if this really happened," said Judge Moran.