The daughter of a man accused of murdering a 14-year-old girl has told the Central Criminal Court that her sister told her their father had killed the schoolgirl.
Shirley Conroy said her sister Samantha made the claim in January 2008 and the gardaí were called.
Human remains were found on the shores of Lough Gill the following month.
Earlier, a detective garda told the court that Samantha Dunbar said her father had strangled Melissa Mahon and placed her body in a sleeping bag and dumped it.
Ronald McManus, also known as Ronnie Dunbar, of Rathbraughan Park, Sligo, denies murdering Melissa Mahon in September 2006.
Det Garda Pauline McDonagh told the Central Criminal Court she was called to a house in Rathbraughan Park on 31 January 2008 and later took statements from one of Mr Dunbar's daughters.
She told the court that Samantha Dunbar told her that her father had killed Melissa and that she had assisted in disposing of the body.
During cross examination, Det McDonagh strenuously denied that she had ever told Mr Dunbar that the case should never have come to court.
Defence barrister Brendan Grehan put it to Det McDonagh that she had made the remark during a friendly exchange with him.
She said she ‘absolutely, categorically and definitely’ never said that and would have no reason to say it.
Shirley Conroy also told the court that Melissa Mahon stayed in her father's house after she ran away from home and from the care of the HSE.
She said she knew of occasions when Ronnie Dunbar told gardaí and social services he did not know where Melissa Mahon was when she was in his house.
Ms Conroy also said that Mr Dunbar had a back-door key to the house next door, which he previously lived in, and sometimes he allowed Melissa Mahon to go into that house when people called to his home.
She said she had made it clear that she did not think Melissa should be in the house and that it was inappropriate.
Ms Conroy also identified a nightdress, found along with human remains on the shores of Lough Gill, as one belonging to her sister.
She also identified a necktie found as one worn by her father.
