Blow to chest likely caused death

A lethal disruption of heart rhythm occurring as a result of a blow to the chest directly over the heart at a critical time caused the death of an alleged victim of manslaughter, a court has heard.

Marie Cassidy, the chief State pathologist, told the jury in the trial of Paul Brannigan, aged 24, that the blow had to occur within a 30-millisecond window during the cycle of a heartbeat.

Mr Brannigan, of Ratoath Drive, Finglas, has pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the manslaughter of Jason Saunders at Fassaugh Avenue, Cabra West, on March 18, 2014.