The accused has pleaded not guilty.
However, Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC, for Mr Brannigan, told the court on Thursday that it has heard no notes were taken of these phone calls by either Det Ins Johnson or the officers who phoned him. The court heard that the devices placed on the cars on August 31st, 2017 and September 13th, 2017, were never replaced and instead remained in place.
Mr Ó Lideadha also told the court that when Det Ins Johnson gave evidence he was asked if he considered the legislation when he carried out his duties and he answered “yes”.The barrister also told the court that certain documents are required for a Section 4 authorisation including a summary of the surveillance carried out to date and a written record of the approval.He added: “This cannot be dismissed. This is not a technicality, we’re dealing with a huge power of a garda.