A garda has been accused of conflating events on Fortunestown Road, during the trial of TD Paul Murphy, together with South Dublin councillors Kieran Mahon and Michael Murphy and four other men.
They have pleaded not guilty to falsely imprisoning former tánaiste Joan Burton and her adviser Karen O'Connell by restricting their personal liberty without their consent at Fortunestown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, on 15 November 2014.
The court was told that Garda Laura Loughney made two statements in relation to the events on Fortunestown Road.
In her second statement, made on 17 January 2015, she said she heard Cllr Michael Murphy on a loudhailer asking protesters if Ms Burton should be given sanctuary in the church, or words to that effect.
Under cross-examination by Raymond Comyn SC, Gda Loughney was asked why she did not put that in her first statement made on 17 November 2014.
The garda said she did not know why she did not put that in her first statement but she did remember him saying it.
The senior counsel put it to Gda Loughney that she had given the impression that the questions she alleged she heard Cllr Murphy say were being directed at the other protesters.
Footage was shown to the court in which Cllr Murphy can be heard speaking.
Mr Comyn said it showed Cllr Murphy was giving a suggestion to gardaí as to what should be done, and there was nothing indicating that it was a question to the crowd or seeking approval from the crowd.
In her statement, Gda Loughney said, from her recollection, Cllr Murphy was using a loudhailer.
Footage from Fortunestown Road was shown to the jury, showing a man in a blue hoodie with a loudhailer, and not Cllr Murphy.
Mr Comyn put it to Gda Loughney that she had conflated what had happened on Fortunestown Road, and that the only time Cllr Murphy used a loud-hailer was when he proposed that Ms Burton leave.
The trial at the Criminal Courts of Justice, before Judge Melanie Greally, has been adjourned until tomorrow.
