Ian Bailey's long term partner, Jules Thomas, has been describing his violence against her and says she told gardaí she would never cover up a murder.
The 65-year-old has been giving evidence today in the former journalist's High Court action against the State over his alleged wrongful arrest on suspicion of murdering French film producer Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork in 1996.
Jules Thomas told the court life with Ian Bailey was not a bed of roses and that his violence towards her was "still a bad memory and kind of unforgiveable".
She said drink was involved, he was "utterly remorseful" and over time she forgave him.
The artist became tearful at one point as she described being arrested in 1997 and in1998 in connection with the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier in West Cork
She told the jury she does not trust gardaí's handling of witnesses in the case, claiming "I know they are lying".
Under cross examination Jules Thomas denied that gardaí had made it clear to her that the basis for her arrest was that she was covering up for Ian Bailey.
She said she told them she would never cover up a murder.
Her cross examination continues tomorrow.