Prosecution give opening address in murder trial

A Cork man bled to death after being fatally stabbed in the groin by a neighbour who acted in "common design" with another man, a murder trial jury heard today.

Mr Keith O’Donovan, aged 29, of Spriggs Road, Cork and Mr James Hourigan, aged 32, of Harbour View Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, are charged with the murder of Mr Noel McCarthy, aged 29, on May 4 2000 at his home at Spriggs Road, Gurranabraher, Cork.

Both men pleaded not guilty when they were arraigned at the Central Criminal Court.

In his opening address, prosecuting counsel Mr John Edwards SC told the jury it the prosecution case that both accused acted in common design to murder Mr McCarthy.

The victim sustained a fatal stab would to the left groin and he "bled out", he said.

Counsel told the jury that the victim, an unemployed man, lived at home with his mother and had spent that day painting the exterior of the house at Spriggs Road.

Later that evening, some friends called to the house and they sat watching TV and drinking cider and lager.

A number of times throughout the course of the evening, Mr McCarthy heard loud bangs at the front of the house.

"He went out to remonstrate" with those responsible and came back with a bloodied nose. He left again and when he returned he had a deep gash on his face and had to be taken to hospital, Mr Edwards said.

He told the court that the deceased’s mother, Mrs Mary McCarthy, would say that at around 3.45am there was a loud knock on the door and her son opened it. The jury would hear evidence that he was pushed back into the hall by Keith O’Donovan accompanied by James Hourigan.

She will say that she saw Mr O’Donovan point to Mr McCarthy’s right side and saw what looked like a knife with a cloth wrapped around it.

Mr Edwards said Mrs McCarthy made a "grab for the knife" but Mr O’Donovan demanded she let it go. She then saw her son slump to the floor and "blood gushing everywhere".

When attempts were made to render assistance, a second man, which the State says is Mr Hourigan ordered them to get back, counsel told the jury.

They would hear evidence that the knife transected the femural artery and Mr McCarthy "bled out almost immediately".

The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney continues today.