City death trial hears closing speeches
By LEADER REPORTER
THE jury in the trial of a Limerick man accused of the manslaughter of Keith Ryan, whose body was found under Shannon Bridge last year, heard closing speeches this Thursday after evidence in the trial concluded.
Tony O’Brien 24, of Baker Place, denies killing the 23-year-old at Fernbank, O’Callaghan Strand, on May 24, 2006.
During the five days of evidence at Limerick Circuit Court, the jury of six men and six women heard from the State pathologist, Dr Marie Csasidy, that Mr Ryan sustained injuries consistent with being assaulted. She said it was likely that he was stamped upon, kicked and beaten by his attackers.
The jury also heard evidence in relation to garda interviews with the accused, during which he admitted hitting Mr Ryan once, but denied kicking him.
The defendant told gardai that the deceased man was drinking with a number of people on the steps of Shannon Bridge and that he was being “drunk and cheeky” and that he was trying to start arguments. The court heard how Mr O’Brien claimed he was hit once by the deceased whom he then hit back.
“He digged me in the face and I digged him back in the mouth. It was only a stupid old dig, he didn’t fall to the ground at all,” Mr O’Brien told gardai.
According to the accused man’s statement, another man who was also drinking with the group gave Mr Ryan “two to three boots”.
Mr O’Brien said the victim was fine when he left him at the steps of Shannon Bridge, and he got an awful shock when he heard on the local radio news the next morning that he had died.
Mr O’Brien denied kicking the deceased at any time. The jury is expected to retire to consider its verdict next week.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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