Ex-corporal who died in row with son was violent when drunk, court hears

A RETIRED army corporal who died in a row with one of his sons was violent when drunk, having previously assaulted and driven another son from the family home, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

Damien O’Grady, aged 26, of 53 Lenihan Avenue, Prospect, Limerick, has denied the manslaughter of Stephen O’Grady, 45, at 53 Lenihan Avenue on November 29, 2007.

The court heard Stephen O’Grady assaulted his son, Damien, after he arrived home drunk. As he continued the assault, the accused picked up a knife and stabbed his father.

Regina O’Grady, wife of Stephen O’Grady and mother of the accused, said she met her husband at the Geraldine bar in Lower Gerald Griffin Street after finishing work at 10.20pm on November 28. She had two drinks, and her husband had had drinks before she joined him.

Her husband ordered three pints of Guinness for himself for the last round.

On getting home by taxi, an argument started and Stephen told Damien he was useless and wanted him out of the house.

She told Stephen to go to bed and sleep it off. Her husband hit Damien a number of times in the face and asked him out on the road. Damien said he would not as he had too much respect for his father.

They got head to head near the fireplace in the sitting room and she went between them to try and separate her son and husband. Stephen, she said, would not let Damien go. The next thing Stephen was on the ground in a pool of blood.

In reply to Anthony Sammon, SC, for the accused, Ms O’Grady said her husband without drink was the best in the world, but could resort to violence when drunk and had been violent towards her.

In a previous incident, the deceased had assaulted their son John Ross when he was 17, and this resulted in their son getting stitches for a head wound. Their son at that time was forced to leave home by the deceased and moved to Waterford.

She said that Damien O’Grady did everything to avoid a physical confrontation on the night of the fatal stabbing.

Evan O’Grady, 18, brother of the accused, said after his brother was assaulted by their father, he stood there as if nothing had happened.

Damien O’Grady, after further assaults, picked up a knife and stabbed his father.

Damien got towels to try and stop the bleeding.

The witness said he panicked and threw the knife into waste ground.

John Ross O’Grady said his father was a great man when sober, but different with drink.

He left home five years ago after his father assaulted him with a chest expander.

Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Michael Curtis said Stephen O’Grady sustained six stab injuries. Death was caused by two stab wounds to the neck.

He found three other stab wounds on the deceased’s thigh and a sixth on the back of the neck.

Blood tests showed signs of intoxication.