A detective involved in the investigation into the murder of Limerick rugby player Shane Geoghegan has strongly denied that a 25-year-old man who admitted the murder was given an inducement to confess.
Barry Doyle has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Shane Geoghegan in November 2008, in what the prosecution says was a case of mistaken identity.
Mr Doyle first admitted shooting Shane Geoghegan in an interview with gardaí on 26 February 2009.
He had denied being involved in all previous interviews.
Shortly before his admissions, he had a consultation in Bruff Garda Station with his solicitor, Michael O'Donnell.
The court was told that Mr O'Donnell had requested to speak to the two interviewing gardaí who were members of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Detective Sergeant Mark Philips said Mr O'Donnell brought them a 'deal' on behalf of his client.
He said Mr Doyle would admit killing Shane Geoghegan if his girlfriend Vicki Gunnery was released from custody.
She was the mother of Mr Doyle's young daughter who was due to have a heart scan.
She had been arrested on suspicion of possessing information about the unlawful possession of a firearm.
Det Sgt Philips said this deal had been rejected very, very clearly by gardaí.
Mr Doyle's barrister, Martin O'Rourke, read a memo that Sgt Philips and his colleague had prepared after their meetings with Mr O'Donnell.
Mr O'Rourke said the memo did not state that the deal had been rejected and he accused the Sergeant of lying.
He said the only thing at issue between the gardaí and the solicitor was whether Ms Gunnery's release would come before or after Mr Doyle's admissions.
Det Sgt Philips said the memo very clearly stated that gardaí had told Mr O'Donnell that it was an inducement and there was no possible way that would happen as any admission would not be upheld in court.
Mr O'Rourke said the gardaí had attempted to induce Barry Doyle into making a statement by using his girlfriend, the mother of a sick child.
This was strongly denied by the detective sergeant.
Evidence in the trial has now concluded.
Closing speeches will be heard on Friday.
It is not clear if Mr Justice Paul Carney will charge the jury on Friday afternoon or Monday morning.
