A controversial businessman at the centre of attempts to turn Dartmouth Square in Dublin into a car park appeared in an English court yesterday to give evidence in a libel hearing.
Noel O'Gara of Athlone, Co Westmeath, claims that a man jailed two years ago during an inquiry into a hoax case on the Yorkshire Ripper had been framed by a criminal detective.
John Humble, known as "Wearside Jack", was stitched up by West Yorkshire Police during the inquiry, Mr O'Gara alleges.
Humble (52) is serving eight years after admitting in 2006 that he sent letters and tapes to police and a newspaper that diverted the Ripper inquiry in the 1970s.
He was caught after a sample of his DNA, taken from a hoax letter, was matched to a sample he gave police in 2000.
Mr O'Gara (64) has been no stranger to controversy in recent years. He became embroiled in a high-profile dispute with Dublin City Council and residents of the area near Dartmouth Square in Ranelagh, which he bought the freehold title for in 2005 for €10,000.
Since the purchase Mr O'Gara has operated a tile showroom from the square as well as attempting to turn it into a car park and apartment complex.
At yesterday's libel hearing, he accused Det Chief Supt Chris Gregg of framing Humble, planting DNA evidence and coercing him into a confession.
During a four-hour hearing, Mr O'Gara said the real Ripper was a man called Billy Tracey who used to work for him in Ireland.
The allegations stem from his book and website, both called The Real Yorkshire Ripper, and sparked a £50,000 claim for damages against him by Mr Gregg.
Mr O'Gara, appearing at Liverpool Crown Court, sitting as the high court, continued his attack on the officer and told Mr Justice King that a BBC documentary about Wearside Jack would justify his claims against the policeman.
Mr Justice King adjourned the case until an unspecified date.
