Limerick man's skull fractured in assault, court told
A Limerick man suffered a fractured skull caused by blows from a pick-axe handle and multiple stab wounds to the neck and body, a murder trial has heard.
The evidence was heard on the first day of the trial of 23 year-old Gary Kirby at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick.
Mr Kirby of Hyde Road, Limerick, denies the murder of Trevor McNamara at 390 O'Malley Park, Southill, Limerick, on September 13, 2002.
Counsel for the State, Michael Collins, BL, said forensic evidence would establish that a pick-axe handle was used by the accused to beat the victim.
The jury of nine men and three women heard that forensic evidence would also show that a knife was also used to repeatedly stab the victim.
Blood staining on the walls of the house and on the clothes of the accused were consistent with the victim receiving a number of blows while he lay on the ground.
The court heard that Mr McNamara had six lacerations to his head and that his skull had been fractured causing major trauma and brain damage.
Forensic evidence would also establish that Mr McNamara had suffered five stab wounds to the neck and a further five stab wounds to the body.
Two of the knife wounds to the body had penetrated the victim's heart and liver. There was no evidence of defence injuries on the victim's body, the court heard.
The trial - which is expected to last for one week - continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court in Limerick.
