The State witness in the Veronica Guerin murder trial, Charles Bowden, has denied that any arrangements have been made about his future after his release from prison or that his future depended on his "performance in court". He has already been granted immunity from prosecution for the murder.
Bowden is giving evidence at the Special Criminal Court in the case against Mr Paul "Hippo" Ward, who is accused of murdering the journalist in June 1996.
Currently in Arbour Hill prison under the witness protection programme, Bowden said he had tried to have his conditions improved and had got assurances from the Department of Justice that he could have a television in his cell and two educational sessions a week, and that requests for temporary release would be looked on favourably.
He said there was no deal between him and the authorities in return for giving evidence against Mr Ward. He admitted again that he had loaded the .357 Magnum revolver used to murder the journalist and that he was "absolutely aware" of the role he had played in her death. When asked by Mr Justice Barr why he wanted to tell the police, Bowden replied: "Guilt. The reality of the horror of it."
Bowden is serving six years for drugs and firearms offences. He identified the accused, Mr Ward, as a member of a gang who distributed hundreds of kilos of cannabis in Dublin and said that Ms Guerin had been killed because she "pissed off" the leader of the gang responsible for importing the drugs.
He said: "When I saw the photos of the girl lying in the car shot, I went to pieces. I just couldn't handle it."
Mr Ward (34), has pleaded not guilty to the murder. Cross-examined by Mr Ward's counsel, Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, yesterday, Bowden said he had an arrangement with the gardai "from the start" that they would protect his wife and family.