A witness in the case against nine people charged in connection with a fracas preceding the death of Swedish street trader, Mr Lars Forsmark, in New Ross, Co Wexford, in July 2003, told Wexford Circuit Court yesterday that she felt intimidated after receiving a phone call from one of the accused.
Ms Jennifer McGarr (21), was giving evidence othe sixth day of the trial against the nine - seven of whom faces charges of violent disorder and endangerment: Mr Raymond Kelly, Brandon Park; Mr Owen Lennon, Barrack Lane; Ms Sinead Kane, Bosheen; Mr Anthony O'Leary, Bosheen Estate; and brothers, Mr Ian, Mr Stephen and Mr Jonathon Bolger, Nunnery Lane.
Two more defendants, husband and wife, Mr Seán and Mrs Noeleen Wickham, Wickham's Pub, Mary Street, face charges of endangerment and intent to pervert the course of justice. Ms Kane also faces a charge of assisting offenders. All nine have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ms McGarr told the court she received a phone call from Ms Kane "about a week" after the row. "She asked me what I told the gardaí in my statement.
"I said I told the truth and she blamed me for getting everyone in trouble."
When asked to describe the fight that took place on the premises Ms McGarr said it was like a "scuffle". She saw one of the accused, Mr Lennon, fighting a man. Ms McGarr also said that Mrs Wickham told everyone to say the fight happened outside the premises.
She said she met some of the group a few days later in another pub in the town. "I heard Ian Bolger talking to Elaine Rossiter about the fight and he was talking about the man he kicked," she said.
"But Elaine said it wasn't the man who was unconscious on the ground because she thought she saw him running out," she added.
Ms Ann Marie Walsh said the "strangers" in the pub were arguing between themselves. She said one of the men struck Mr Lennon and that started the fight. She went on to say "all the defendants were involved in the row." She said that one of the accused, Ms Kane, used a pool cue to hit one of the men and that he "fell to the ground."
"Noeleen Wickham tried to drag him down the pub and asked my sister to give her a hand." Ms Walsh added that she asked Mrs Wickham to phone for an ambulance but she replied by saying: "Shut my mouth - I seen nothing."
When asked if her sister was involved in the fighting, Ms Walsh replied: "I don't remember." When asked if the Englishmen on the premises that night were "fighting drunk", she replied: "Yes".
Mr John O'Kelly SC, asked her if the third statement she made to gardaí was given via "suggestions made to her" she replied: "No that's not true."
The trial continues today.