Witness denies assaulting defendant

A garda witness in the trial of seven men suspected of membership of the Continuity IRA today denied kicking and punching one of the accused during the course of arrest.

The Special Criminal Court heard that Detective Garda Gerry Cleary was among a large party of gardaí who arrested the seven at a house in Shanabooley Road, Limerick in December 2001 at which a suspected meeting of the Continuity IRA was taking place.