Cork man killed with a toaster

A Cork man who died in a derelict house in the city in 1997 received multiple blows to the head from weapons that included a toaster, a murder trial jury has heard.

William Carroll, aged 52, of no fixed address, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Thomas Harte, aged 40, of Allen’s Square, Ballymacthomas, Cork at a derelict house on Leitrim Street, Cork city between May 19 - 20, 1997.

Opening the case before a jury today, prosecution lawyer Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC said that Thomas Harte sustained a total of 67 injuries to the head.

Multiple blows to the head were in keeping with blows from a blunt instrument, and one of the weapons included a toaster, Mr Buckley said.

He said forensic examiners found blood matching Thomas Harte’s on the toaster.

The house Mr Harte died in was known as "the skip" and was used by local winos and down-and-outs, amongst them the accused man, William Carroll.

The prosecution allege he was part of a "joint enterprise" with another younger man to kill or seriously injure Thomas Harte.

The trial continues before a jury and Mr Justice Carney.