De Rossa believed his son was going to kill him
The politician had just returned home from the inauguration of President Michael D Higgins when Fearghal De Rossa, aged 46 started his seemingly unprovoked attack. Proinsias was in hospital for six days and required surgery to his forearm.
A taxi driver who helped stop the attack told gardaí he believed the accused was trying to kill his father.
Fearghal, of Old Finglas Rd, Glasnevin has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to his father on Nov 11, 2011.
The court heard Fearghal suffers from paranoia and has spent time in the Central Mental Hospital.
Proinsias was in court but his evidence was read out in statement form.
He said he had just come back from the inauguration and went into his home office to use the computer. He said Fearghal came in and unplugged the computer before taking it into his room.
When his father went to retrieve it, Fearghal grabbed the hard drive and smashed it.
He said his son then calmly told him, “I’m going to kill you” before starting to punch him in the face.
“Don’t do this Fearghal, I’m your dad,” said Proinsias. “I’ve never done anything to you.”
The assault continued and Proinsias said at this point his son showed “real anger”. He said his son kept punching him deliberately and “almost calmly”.
Proinsias managed to run outside but his son caught him and the attack resumed.
“I believed I was going be killed by my son and that he would spend the rest of his days in prison and I thought how terrible that would be.”
He said he remembered a passer-by intervening but his son then returned with a shovel. An ambulance was passing by at the time. Paramedic David English said he and others restrained Fearghal.
Gerard Murphy, a passing taxi driver, said he saw the accused lift the shovel above his head and bring it down full force on Mr De Rossa.
“He was definitely trying to kill him,” said Mr Murphy.
The trial continues.
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