Dublin murder trial: Barrister for accused urges jury to return manslaughter verdict

The barrister for a man accused of murdering a father-of-two outside a Dublin takeaway has urged the jury to return a manslaughter verdict.

Donal Colgan of Killarney Court, Killarney Street in Dublin 1 claims he “lost complete control” when he stabbed David Sheridan to death in 2014.

In his closing speech, defence barrister Patrick Marrinan rebutted the prosecution’s claim that Donal Colgan was deliberately deceitful.

And he challenged the proposition that he’s cunning – describing him instead as a “stupid man” who was confused and out of his depth.

Yesterday, Mr. Colgan told the jury that David Sheridan and his friend beat him outside Luigi’s Takeaway on North Strand Rd on Aug 17th 2014.

The 65-year-old said he got a knife from his home and returned to the chipper where he claimed Mr. Sheridan attacked him again.

He said he lost complete control of himself but didn’t think he’d done much damage and couldn’t believe it when he heard he was dead.

Mr. Marrinan told the jurors the real issue is whether he’s guilty of murder or the lesser charge of manslaughter – he said he believed the latter to be the “just verdict”

The jury will begin deliberating after hearing from the trial judge tomorrow.