Gogarty takes turn at interrogation

During cross-examination yesterday Mr James Gogarty appeared to take exception to remarks from Mr Garrett Cooney SC, for the Murphy group, suggesting that his actions over a period of years were primarily motivated by vengeance rather than a desire for the truth.

Mr Gogarty turned the interrogation on Mr Cooney, questioning the barrister's own motives.

Asking Mr Gogarty to stick to the accepted format, Mr Cooney replied: "You see, it is not my motivation we are exploring here, Mr Gogarty, it is your motivation."

"Well, what motivation? Sure you are being paid £13,000 or £14,000 per day for motivating it," Mr Gogarty retorted to loud laughter from the public gallery.

Obviously amused by Mr Gogarty's apparent error in calculating the size of barristers' fees, Mr Justice Flood remarked to Mr Cooney: "I never knew you were so valuable."

To which Mr Cooney responded: "Well, Mr Chairman, I know that we are in a building that is partly occupied by the Revenue Commissioners . . . "And declare it all," interrupted Mr Gogarty to increasing laughter from the public benches.

". . . and I hope that this news doesn't reach them," continued Mr Cooney, "because it is false, you know. With those gentlemen you have to prove your innocence . . ."

However, the clashes between Mr Gogarty and Mr Cooney were not finished.

During discussion of an article in the Sunday Business Post in 1996, Mr Cooney said: "I am going to ask you a question. The sub-headline says . . .

Mr Gogarty interrupted again, saying: "I can't listen to you and read this bloody thing."

Obviously frustrated, Mr Cooney appealed to Mr Justice Flood with the words "I'm not sure if this is the Peacock or the Abbey."

To more laughter from the public gallery, Mr Gogarty retorted: "No, the Gaiety", a reminder of the fact that the Murphy group once owned the Gaiety Theatre.

"I suspect," said Mr Cooney, "it may be the Folies Bergere."