A Garda has gone on trial accused of stealing more than 3-thousand Euro from the former Minister for Justice.

44-year-old Ciaran Folan, of Ramstown, Fethardon-sea, County Wexford, has pleaded NOT guilty to five counts of theft.

The offences are alleged to have happened "within the State" on dates between September 6, 2007 and January 31, 2008.

It's claimed Garda Folan, who at the time was based in Clifden, Co Glaway, "procured unauthorised payments" from his then employer, the late Minister for Justice, Brian Lenihan.

Garda Folan is accused of stealing sums ranging from 350 Euro to over a thousand.

A jury of eight women and four men has been sworn in to hear evidence in the trial at Limerick Circuit Court.

The jury has been told the trial is likely to last a week.