Journalist gives evidence in Gilligan trial
The Special Criminal Court has heard how John Gilligan told a journalist that he threatened to kidnap Veronica Guerin's son.
Gilligan allegedly made the claim because Ms Guerin was "pestering" him for an interview.
Former Sunday Independent crime correspondent Liz Allen also told the court that she received a note from Gilligan when he was in jail, telling her that he loved her.
Ms Allen said today that her notes of a conversation where Gilligan admitted threatening to kidnap Guerin's young son, Cathal, had been thrown out by the Sunday Independent.
She also told of a meeting with the accused in Amsterdam soon after the murder and said Gilligan met her at the airport and gave her a bouquet of flowers.
He also brought her and a photographer to a hotel room. After her article was printed, he then rang Allen and thanked her for giving him a hearing.
On her visit to see Gilligan at Belmarsh Prison, she said guards may have formed the impression she was his girlfriend, but that was not her intention.
She showed the court a note, which she said was posted to her at the Sunday Independent.
Ms Allen agreed the note was printed but said there was also a handwritten note that said "Love ya - John".
