Drinking companion killed man, court hears

A 25-YEAR-OLD man was stabbed to death by a man he had been drinking with at his home, a murder trial heard yesterday.

Andrew Fitzgerald, aged 36, formerly with an address at St Mary’s Park, Limerick, denies the murder of Rory Burke at Little Glentworth Street, Limerick, on April 27 last year.

A jury of nine men and three women yesterday heard evidence that the 25-year-old died after suffering a single stab wound to his chest.

Outlining the case against the accused at the Central Criminal Court, counsel for the State Michael Counihan told the jury Mr Fitzgerald had been drinking with the deceased at his flat in Little Glentworth Street on the evening before he died.

Mr Counihan said Mr Fitzgerald became “aggressive” and punched Rory Burke a number of times in the mouth, splitting his lip and causing it to bleed.

The 36-year-old then grabbed Mr Burke by the throat and produced a knife and threatened him, the court heard.

Mr Counihan said the accused then brought Mr Burke outside and hit him a number of times before stabbing him once in the chest.

The court heard Mr Burke staggered up the street but collapsed and died a short time later as a result of the stab wound.

The trial is due to continue today before Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court, currently sitting in Limerick.