A Dublin woman and her former partner, who gave evidence in court against a member of a major drug gang, have been denied entry to the State's witness protection scheme even though there is known to be a death threat against them.
The mother of two, who was the State's main witness in the case, has been moving between hostels and B & Bs since October. Gardai involved in the case met a housing officer earlier this week to try and have her placed on an emergency housing list.
Gardai said the woman is distraught about her circumstances and wishes she had never given evidence in the case.
She appeared recently at the Garda station where the case was brought, with her two children. They had had no breakfast, as the hostel where they were staying provided no food. She was distraught and in tears.
Gardai have repeatedly tried to have her and her two children given proper accommodation and protection until the threat to their lives is lifted.
A Garda spokesman said a complaint of "intimidation" against the woman had been received and was being investigated. He said the man and woman did not come under the ambit of the State witness protection scheme.
The criteria for inclusion in the scheme are not disclosed. It was introduced to look after families of three witnesses in the cases arising from the murder of journalist Veronica Guerin. It is understood the gang, which dominates the drugs trade in the south inner city, has taken out a contract on the couple, hiring a member of the Irish National Liberation Army. The INLA man is suspected of committing a murder in the early 1990s outside this jurisdiction. He is also suspected of shooting another INLA man during a feud in Dublin three years ago. It is understood he has accepted money to kill the man and either kill or seriously injure the woman. Information reached the Garda that another criminal was offered £5,000 but turned it down. Gardai believe the INLA man was then approached and accepted the contract.
Information which has reached the Garda suggests the man's murder was demanded. The woman could also be murdered but they indicated they would settle for her being mutilated. The man and woman, whose ordeal started last Easter when the man was seriously assaulted, are now living apart as a result of the stress under which they have been placed. They were forced to leave their home last October after receiving threats, initially from a leading member of the gang. They were first moved to Carlow, where the health board found them rented accommodation. However, their whereabouts were discovered when, it is thought, one of their friends let slip the information. Gardai moved the couple, who were still waiting to give evidence, to a hotel and then to B & Bs.
The woman was called to court eight times to give evidence, mainly during repeated bail applications. Each time she was faced by the defendant and members of the drugs gang, who include former associates of the notorious Dublin criminal figure, Martin Cahill, who was killed in 1994.
At each court hearing she continued to give evidence despite mounting intimidation against her. Once she and her sister were seriously assaulted after leaving the court. Gardai intervened and two of them were injured. The gang member was subsequently convicted.
The name of the gang member against whom the man and woman gave evidence cannot be given for legal reasons.