A WITNESS has told the trial of two Limerick men charged with the murder of businessman Roy Collins that she lied to gardai in order to protect her partner, who is a key prosecution witness in the case.
Elaine Walsh yesterday gave evidence in the trial of Wayne Dundon (36), of Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, and Nathan Killeen (24), of Hyde Road, Prospect, who have pleaded not guilty to the murder of 35-year-old Roy Collins at Coin Castle Amusements, Roxboro Road Shopping Centre, on April 9, 2009.
Ms Walsh said she was in a relationship with Gareth Collins. Gareth Collins (31), also known as Gareth Keogh, gave evidence at the Special Criminal Court last week that he was offered €20,000 to take part in the killing of publican Steve Collins, the father of Roy Collins.
Ms Walsh told counsel for Dundon, Mr Remy Farrell SC, that on the night before April 9, 2009, she was at home with her two children. She said Gareth Collins was not there.
In a statement to gardai on, Ms Walsh said she collected Gareth Collins on the night of April 8. Mr Farrell said 
Ms Walsh stated she drove the car.
Ms Walsh told gardai that around 10.30pm on April 8 Gareth Collins left her house in her car.
Put to her by Mr Farrell that she “presumably gave a truthful account” to gardai, Ms Walsh replied: “At that time I did not.”
Ms Walsh told counsel she was sure that Gareth Collins had not taken her car. Mr Farrell said Gareth Collins was was stopped and searched in a 06 Limerick-registered car on April 8.
Ms Walsh said that she could not remember giving Gareth Collins her car but he must have had it.
accused
Much of the day’s proceedings were taken up with the cross-examination of April Collins, who is a sister of Gareth Collins. Ms Collins used to be in a relationship with Gerard Dundon - a brother of the accused Wayne Dundon - and had three children with him.
April Collins agreed with Michael Bowman BL, for Wayne Dundon, that she made statements to gardai between April 8 and 20, 2011.
She agreed that she pleaded guilty to a charge of interfering with a witness and received a three-year suspended sentence.
Put to her that “it was fair to say” she thought the suspended sentence she entered in was “a joke” Ms Collins replied: “No.”
The cross-examination of Ms Collins will continue later in the trial.
