The Special Criminal Court yesterday heard legal submissions in a "trial within a trial" to decide on the admissibility of alleged admissions by a Belfast man accused of murdering a garda in Dublin 18 years ago.
The court was told that Mr Sean Hughes was arrested in Main Street in Foxford, Co Mayo, in connection with a bank robbery in the town in May 1997.
Gardai alleged that during questioning at Swinford Garda station in Mayo about the robbery Mr Hughes made verbal admissions relating to his part in the murder of Garda Patrick Reynolds. Mr Hughes's lawyers are challenging the admissibility of the alleged admissions and the legality of his detention under the Offences Against the State Act at Swinford Garda station.
It was the 14th day of the trial of Mr Hughes (42), of Albert Terrace, Belfast, who denies the capital murder of Garda Reynolds (23), at Avonbeg Gardens, Tallaght, Co Dublin, on February 20th, 1982.