The lawyer was under attack from the PR woman. His morals were called into question. "I could not do your job," the PR woman told the lawyer. "My morals would get in the way."

That wasn't all. The poor lawyer was accused of sinning, presumably against God, but definitely against one of His creations. "You were guilty, you were guilty of sin," the PR woman told him. The lawyer looked up at the ceiling, to reflect, perhaps, on the accusation, or maybe, on how things might go for him on judgement day.

The lawyer's name is Eoin McCullough. He is representing the Evening Herald in a High Court libel action taken by the PR woman, Monica Leech. Last Tuesday, Leech gave evidence on how she believes she was wronged in a series of articles in the newspaper in November and December 2004.

She was assertive, eloquent and generally composed in the witness box. At times she lapsed into business-speak, mentioning "skills set", and the "tone" and "philosophy" of communicating in a government department. At other times, she was more direct. When asked about one article, she said that apart from getting her name right, "the rest is a load of horseshite".

Leech's case is that the articles falsely claimed she got government public-relations contracts because she was having an affair with Martin Cullen. The Herald denies that the articles in question claimed that such was the case.

Martin Cullen is the current minister for sport. At the time in question he was initially junior minister for the Office of Public Works and subsequently environment minister.

Leech was employed on contracts in both departments while he was in charge. The contracts were valued at €650 a day initially, and subsequently she won a two-year contract to the value of €800 a day, three days a week. The circumstances of the awarding of the contracts were the subject of an investigation in 2005, commissioned by the then taoiseach, in the wake of controversy.

Last week, the High Court heard that in November 2004, the Ireland On Sunday newspaper had published reports of rumours that Cullen and Leech were having an affair. Days later, Minister Cullen denied the rumours. The Herald published a number of stories about the controversy of which Leech is complaining. These included stories about trips on which Leech was a member of delegations acc­ompanying Cullen to New York and Malaysia. Cropped photographs of the pair were also published.

Lawyers' stock in trade is asking questions. The stock in trade of PR is answering questions. Some lawyers get highly animated when performing. The better PR practitioners maintain a cool exterior. Last week, two pros went to battle, but the lawyer kept his reserve, while the PR person in the witness box became animated at times.

McCullough was interested in exploring what work Leech had done while working in Cullen's departments. He pointed out that Environment already had five people working in the press office when she arrived. Why was she required?

"I can't think for the department. My role was to add to the skills set in the department, to change the tone, philosophy and style of the way the department communicated. There was a huge amount of dithering and inefficiencies," she said.

She told the court she worked more than the hours she had contracted for. "I was anxious to give above and beyond the call of duty with my eyes on future business," she said. Over the two- and-a-half years of her contracts, she earned nearly €300,000. She said her rates were "market value". If there hadn't been any controversy, she might still be there, she maintained.

"If it wasn't for your nasty little campaign I would still be working [in the department]. This is a David and Goliath exercise. I have had the power of the Independent group up against me."

She agreed that nobody had occupied the role she fulfilled in the department either before or since her time there. When Cullen left the department, the new minister, Dick Roche, wanted her to account for her work in a different manner, requiring her to give "specific reports on specific issues".

One of the advantages she gave to the department was she was in a position to co-ordinate with Cullen at weekends, as both were from Waterford, and this would "maximise the minister's efficient use of time".

She said that the investigation and report into her retention had vindicated her.

McCullough put it to her that one of the articles in question simply said she was a friend and political supporter of Cullen's. Leech did not agree. She said the suggestion in it was that she was in an improper sexual relationship with the minister and had got the contracts on that basis.

McCullough asked whe­ther the articles had said the minister had appointed a friend.

"It was much more damaging, saying that I was a harlot who exchanged sexual favours for contracts." At times during her evidence, Leech wagged her finger at the lawyer. At one stage, she said: "I haven't gone away. I'm not going away. I'm seeking the truth. Shame on you."

McCullough asked about a trip to a Malaysian holiday island en route to a conference in Kuala Lumpur in 2004. A delegation of 26 was accompanying Cullen to the conference. Four of them, including Leech, stopped off with the minister at a holiday island and stayed in a five- star hotel for a couple of nights. Leech said she would recommend the place, but not in the circumstances in which she stayed there.

"I highly recommend the hotel, but not with three civil servants in a work situation," she said. The four went on a boat trip, but that was all about work. "That was to discuss several environmental projects."

Then, as Mc­Cullough was returning to the terms of her contract, Leech in­formed him it was be­cause she was worth it.

"I'm good at what I do. I could not do your job. My morals would get in the way," the PR woman told the lawyer.

Evidence has now concluded. Closing speeches before judge Eamon de Valera and a jury of seven women and five men will be heard on Tuesday. The jury is expected to go out on Wednesday.