‘As luck would have it I’ve a copy of the case summary here. I’m going to pass you page seventeen. Take a look and let me know if it jogs your memory at all.’

Michael turned to the court usher. Handed over copies for the witness, judge and jury, before passing his extras to the other barristers.

He waited while everyone had a chance to read before continuing.

‘You agree, do you, that the police summary states that you were suspected of having murdered the Galloway brothers with Darren O’Driscoll. That the police did not believe the murders could be the actions of just one man. But that there was insufficient evidence at that stage to charge Mr O’Driscoll.’

‘Yeah, that’s what it says. But so what? It’s just what the police thought. It ain’t evidence.’

‘Indeed it’s not, Mr Colliver. But what it is is the first time anyone – including you – had put in writing or on record any belief of Darren O’Driscoll’s involvement.’

‘So what?’

‘So what? You know “so what”, Mr Colliver. It means that before you ever pointed the finger at Darren O’Driscoll, you had in your possession a prosecution document making it quite clear that the police would welcome some direct evidence against him for this crime. In other words, you knew the police wanted him before you ever mentioned his name.’

‘Oh I’ve ’ad enough of this, mate. You’re talking bollocks.’

‘What I’m speaking is the truth and you know it,’ Michael said sternly. ‘You know it very well. And what’s more, at this stage – in this document, which implicates Darren O’Driscoll – there was still no mention of Simon Kash. Not from you. Not from the police. Not from anyone. Why is that?’

‘I’m not sure this witness can speak for why a police document made no mention of your client, can he, Mr Devlin?’

Michael did not look in Judge Levitt’s direction. Just answered the intervention.

‘He can if he knows Simon Kash is innocent and is only here because of the lies he has told, My Lord. But I take Your Lordship’s point.’

Michael returned his attention to Colliver. The predator was closing in.

‘Although I guess, Mr Colliver, that once you had a document naming Darren O’Driscoll, you would then be less of a grass if you gave up his name. Since the police already had him in the frame. Is that right?’

Colliver’s eyes lit up at Michael’s suggestion. A life preserver dangled before a drowning man.

‘That’s right. That’s why I could give my statement then. Darren was already on the hook. So why should I take the fall?’

‘Why indeed.’ Michael signalled to the jury with a flourish. ‘And I’m sure there is not a man or woman here who would think badly of you for doing so. Except for one small factor.’

‘What?’

‘The date of your witness statement to the police, Mr Colliver.’

‘What about it?’

‘Your witness statement to the police is dated the 7th of March of this year.’