Horse breeder died from stab wounds

MURDERED horse breeder Dick Forristal died as a result of blood loss and injuries to both his lungs and aorta, caused by stab wounds, an inquest into his death has heard.

Two men are already behind bars following the burglary and murder at Mr Forristal’s home at Carrigavantry Stud in Tramore, Co Waterford, on July 21 last year.

The 68-year-old had returned from the funeral of Turkish bomb blast victim, Tara Whelan, when he was stabbed to death.

Yesterday, State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy said Mr Forristal had suffered what appeared to be a series of defensive wounds and added that one particular injury suggested the possibility of more than one assailant.

Dr Cassidy said stab wounds to Mr Forristal’s body corresponded with slits on his clothing. The blood staining on his clothes also showed that some of the injuries were most likely caused while he was upright.

The State Pathologist said she found four stab wounds and one puncture wound on Mr Forristal’s body. The two deepest wounds were to the aorta and the oesophagus.

Blood which leaked into his wind pipe and gullet would have caused him to choke.

The jury delivered a verdict of murder, in accordance with the Central Criminal Court’s findings. At that court, Anthony Barnes from Ballybeg in Waterford had pleaded not guilty but he was convicted of murder by a jury. He is serving a life sentence.

A second man, with 150 previous convictions, was sentenced to seven years for his role in the burglary. Andrew Halligan, also of Ballybeg, had a string of convictions, including those for burglary, trespass, unauthorised taking of a vehicle, misuse of drugs, possession of a knife and possession of a firearm with intent.

Coroner, Dr Eoin Maughan, said Mr Forristal had been a well-known and well-liked horse breeder. “Even now, he is greatly missed,” he said.