Man told gardaí he didn't mean to kill

A man accused of murdering a profoundly deaf young man told gardai that he repeatedly punched the victim but that he never intended to kill him, a garda witness told the Central Criminal Court today.

Det. Inspector Gerard Healy of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation was giving evidence in the trial of William Roche, (aged 23), with an address at Millstream, Killaloe, Co Clare. Mr Roche has pleaded not guilty to the murder of 21-year-old John Carroll of Cappaghmore, Co Limerick on December 4, 1998 at Garraun, Ballinahinch, Newport, Co Tipperary.