Bowden agreed to turn state witness without incentives: Inspector
The trial of John Gilligan has heard that State supergrass Charles Bowden agreed to turn State evidence regardless of whether or not he was charged with the murder of Veronica Guerin.
Detective Inspector John O'Mahony insisted that Bowden sought no preconditions for taking to the witness stand and never sought immunity from prosecution.
Charles Bowden was arrested four months after the Guerin murder and charged with drugs offences. He was granted bail but absconded only to return to garda custody in 1997.
Inspector O'Mahony told the court today that on March 8, 1997 Bowden agreed to make a statement and to give evidence - whether or not he was charged with the murder of the crime journalist.
He did not seek immunity from prosecution as a condition for turning State witness, said Insp O'Mahony.
However, in July 1997, immunity was granted to Bowden who admitted he primed the gun used in the murder.
This is the third day of the cross-examination of Inspector O'Mahony.
He was one of a select number of gardai to deal with the three State Witness Protection Programme witnesses who are due to give evidence in this trial.
