Murder trial witness shown swearing oath after making statement to gardaí

A jury in a murder trial has today been shown video footage of a prosecution witness taking an oath swearing that her statement to gardaí implicating the accused is the truth.

Stacey Douglas, a step-niece of the accused Jonathan Douglas, was shown on a video recording of the reading over of her statement by gardaí, in a relaxed manner, telling gardaí her statement was “the truth”.

She was asked by Detective Sergeant Daly if he had a bible would she swear on it and she said she would. He administered the oath on which she swore she was telling the truth. It was day seven of the trial.

Jonathan Douglas (aged 27) of O'Devaney Gardens, Dublin has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to the murder of Mr Byrne at Drumalee Avenue in Dublin on February 20, 2010.

Det Daly asked Ms Douglas was the gun used in the murder left at her house to which she replied: “No, it wasn't. If it was I would have handed it to you straight away.”

She is also recorded telling gardaí she “doesn't want this to fall back” on her and that she “was really afraid to tell gardaí” what had happened.

“I'm sorry I didn't come straight away. I really was afraid for me, Andrew and my child,” she told gardaí.

Ms Douglas told gardaí in her statement that Jonathan Douglas, aka Yuka, called to her house on the night of the murder and admitted shooting someone in the Cattle Market area of Drumalee estate.

She said he told her someone asked him to shoot a passenger in a car and showed Ms Douglas the gun before washed himself at her kitchen sink and then left the house.

Earlier in the trial both prosecution witnesses, Ms Douglas and her boyfriend Andrew Sheridan, retracted their statements, saying they were told what to say by gardaí and Ms Douglas claimed gardaí threatened to take her child away from her if she “did not tell gardaí what they wanted to hear”.

Counsel Mr Gerard Clarke SC, told the jury the prosecution case has now closed.

Defence counsel Mr Michael O'Higgins said the accused will not be giving evidence but the jury will hear from one defence witness tomorrow.

Mr Justice Paul Carney told the jury that, after defence close their case tomorrow morning, the trial will reach closing speeches and the jury will be charged.

It is anticipated the jury will commence their deliberations in the afternoon.