Murder accused hit victim

One of seven Dubliners charged with murdering a man who was beaten to death said he had hit him because the deceased had pulled a knife on him and stolen his sister’s phone.

A jury in their Central Criminal Court trial was yesterday hearing evidence of garda interviews conducted with David Burke, aged 28, with a current address at Beechpark, Collinstown, Co Westmeath, who said he had tried to stop others assaulting the deceased.

Dale Creighton was assaulted on New Year’s Day, 2014, at the footbridge over the Tallaght bypass between Saint Dominic’s Rd and Greenhills Rd. The 20-year-old died in hospital the following day.