Court hears of war against Department of Justice from special witnesses

State supergrass John Dunne has told the Special Criminal Court about a war waged by those on the Witness Protection Programme against the Department of Justice.

Under cross-examination, he also outlined what he expects from the programme when he is released and given a new life in a secret location.

John Dunne is serving a three-year service for the importation of drugs which he claims were for John Gilligan. He is in custody with the two other convicts on the Witness Protection Programme, Charles Bowden and Russell Warren.

Dunne told the court that the three of them had discussed their desire for temporary release or early release. "I got no response from the Department of Justice for my request", he said, "We waged a war of attrition against the Department. I felt I was being kept in jail to give evidence."

"On the Witness Protection Programme I am not fully happy", he said, "I understand on release a package will be made available to my family and myself, no figure has been mentioned but I understand I will be relocated in another country of my choice and funded until I get a job and I am self sufficient.