A garda detective told the Special Criminal Court yesterday that one of three men accused of murdering Co Sligo community activist Mr Terry Madden agreed to go with gardai to recover the murder weapon.
Det Garda Thomas O'Shea said that after questioning by detectives Mr Patrick McGrath agreed to travel with them the 40 miles from Manorhamilton Garda station to Monasteraden to recover the shotgun used in Mr Madden's murder.
The detective denied suggestions by defence counsel Mr John Edwards SC that gardai had shouted at Mr McGrath during questioning. He also denied that one detective had "shoved" his face into Mr McGrath's face during interviews at Manorhamilton.
Det Garda O'Shea rejected suggestions by Mr Edwards that Mr McGrath was in pain and was distressed during interviews. The court has heard that Mr McGrath, who had prostate problems, was taken to hospital for treatment on the evening of his first day in Garda custody.
Det Garda O'Shea told the court that after about 20 minutes into one interview on March 5th last year Mr McGrath said he had had a prostate operation and wanted to stretch his legs. He was given medication and later he was rubbing his side and said he wanted to see a doctor.
Det Garda Gerard Dillon immediately left the interview room and told the member in charge who contacted a doctor. Later that evening Mr McGrath was taken to Sligo General Hospital and was then returned to the Garda station.
Det Garda O'Shea said when he interviewed Mr McGrath the next day he asked him how he was and Mr McGrath replied: "I'm fine. I got the job done." He appeared to be in perfect health and he made no complaints.
He denied suggestions by Mr Edwards that Mr McGrath was in "significant pain" and that Mr McGrath had annoyed detectives by answering a question in Irish. "If he had answered the question in Irish I would have conducted the interview in Irish."
It was the ninth day of the trial of three men who deny the murder of Mr Madden (52), a father of three and FAS supervisor, at his home at Monasteraden, Co Sligo, on January 28th last year. The three are Mr Michael Joseph (Joey) Herron (31), of Belleek, Co Fermanagh, with an address at Chapel Street, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal; Mr Michael Doohan (34), a private in the Defence Forces, of Ashbury Lawn, Ballinode, Co Sligo; and Mr Patrick McGrath (57), of Cuilprughlish, Gurteen, Co Sligo. Mr Herron also denies possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life on January 28th last year. Mr Doohan and Mr McGrath also deny intentionally causing serious harm to Mr Madden at Monasteraden on the same date and Mr McGrath denies possession of a sawn-off shotgun with intent to enable another person to endanger life.
The trial continues today.