Murder accused ‘distraught’ preparing to hand himself in

A murder accused was “distraught and upset” as he prepared to hand himself over to gardaí following a fight that left one man dead, his trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard.

William Gilsenan, aged 24, of The Green, Larch Hill, Oscar Traynor Rd, Santry, Dublin 17, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 29-year-old Edward Fitzgerald in a car park outside the accused’s home on October 17, 2014.

John Curry was a neighbour of Mr Gilsenan in 2014 and today told Orla Crowe, prosecuting, that he overheard an earlier argument between Mr Gilsenan and the deceased. When he saw paramedics arriving he guessed Mr Gilsenan was involved and offered to help gardaí find him. He said he was a friend of Mr Gilsenan’s father, William Kinsella, who he called on the phone.

Mr Kinsella told him he was aware that something serious had happened and that Mr Gilsenan was with him at his home nearby. Mr Curry drove there and spoke with the accused, who accepted that he had to hand himself over to gardaí.

Speaking to Caroline Biggs, defending, Mr Curry said Mr Gilsenan looked “distraught and upset”.

He agreed that, in his statement to gardaí, he described Mr Gilsenan, saying: “William didn’t say anything, he just kept shaking his head and looking distraught.”

Garda Emily Carr told Ms Crowe that she attended the scene of the stabbing at about 2.20pm and found the blade of a knife and a black knife handle near the driver’s side door of the car. The blade and handle were produced as exhibits and Gda Carr identified them.

The court has previously heard from Dillon Mahady, a friend of the deceased, that Mr Gilsenan owed Mr Fitzgerald €100 for cannabis. Mr Mahady said they argued over the money and then began fighting before Mr Gilsenan stabbed the deceased.

The trial continues.