Cork addict says ‘sorry’ for stabbing friend

A heroin addict who stabbed his friend in an argument over drugs told gardaí in interview that he wanted the man’s family to know he was sorry and that it was an accident, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.

Peter Jackson, aged 41, of Kerryhall Rd, Fairhill, Co Cork has pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty of the manslaughter of Wexford man David Hamilton, aged 31, at a house on Kerryhall Rd on May 4, 2012.

In his opening speech, Thomas O’Connell, prosecuting, told the jury the accused man had tried to inject Mr Hamilton, having already injected heroin into himself.

“He had difficulty finding a vein and this led to an argument and the upshot of this was that Mr Jackson picked up a knife and he plunged the knife into Mr Hamilton’s chest.”

Gerardine Small, prosecuting, called Garda Donal O’Casey of Gurranabraher Garda Station in Cork to give evidence.

Garda O’Casey agreed there were three interviews carried out with Mr Jackson at Gurranabraher Garda Station beginning on May 4, 2012, and that he was involved in all three.

Garda O’Casey agreed that when asked if he had anything to say to Mr Hamilton’s family, Mr Jackson told gardaí: “It was a complete accident. I’m sorry.”