Bono said the stylist's behaviour was "eccentric"

They are arguing over several items of U2 memorabilia, which the group say Ms Cashman took without permission.

She was successfully sued for the return of the items last year, but is now appealing the ruling in Dublin.

During a second day in court, Bono, 46, praised Ms Cashman's work but said her apartment could be an "Aladdin's cave".

He said the former stylist had brought "coherence" to the band's look, but in recent years they had come to realise she had appropriated a large number of their possessions.

'Iconic' Stetson

Under dispute are several items which date from the Joshua Tree tour of 1987, including hooped earrings, black trousers and a hat worn by Bono on the cover of Rattle and Hum.

Ms Cashman claims she was given the memorabilia, estimated to be worth �3,500 as gifts.

Bono, whose real name is Paul Hewson, maintained he never handed over items from his wardrobe to the stylist, especially his iconic Stetson hat.

Bono wore the Stetson on the cover of Rattle and Hum

He said the band were filming the Rattle and Hum movie when Ms Cashman left their employment, and the hat would have been needed for continuity.

Other members of U2's staff also took to the witness box and said they had never been given gifts from the band's wardrobe.

"They were like theatre costume," said Judy Reith, one of the band's stage wardrobe team.

When questioned if she ever asked for their belongings, she told the band's lawyer, Paul Sreenan: "Not at all. It would be like asking you for your wig."

Ms Cashman worked for U2 for nine months in 1987, and was discovered to have belongings from the band in 1992.

In 2002, she put some of the items up for sale at Christie's. She claims two letters sent to the auction house from U2 lawyers seeking their return were defamatory.

She has since started proceedings against the band in the High Court in London and maintains the band's claim for the items was brought to stop the defamation case.