Court hears man bled to death after 63 knife wounds

A 20-year-old Limerick man bled to death from a total of 63 knife wounds inflicted rapidly and possibly while he was crouched in a defensive position, the Central Criminal Court heard today.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy told the court that the victim, John Robinson, died from shock and hemorrhage. Post mortem results showed that he had sustained 36 stab wounds, 27 incisions or cuts and other superficial grazes or abrasions.

Dr Cassidy told Mr Gerard Clarke SC, prosecuting, that two deep stab wounds to each side of the neck had sliced through the jugular veins on both sides. A third stab wound had entered the chest, cut through the ribs and pierced the left lung before exiting at the back of the rib cage.

"Post mortem results showed he had died as a result of blood loss from multiple knife wounds," Dr Cassidy said.

Dr Cassidy said the direction of the wounds, and the fact they many were in groups or "clusters" suggested the blows were inflicted in quick succession. It also suggested that the victim had adopted a defensive foetal position, or that he was not able to move away, while being attacked.

Dr Cassidy was handed a court exhibit, a kitchen knife more than 18 centimeters long. Counsel asked if this was consistent with the wounds described.

"I am of the opinion that this knife, or one of similar dimensions, could have inflicted" the wounds on the deceased man, John Robinson, she replied.

Gerard Hayes (38) of Deer Court, John Carew Park, Limerick has pleaded not Guilty to the murder of Mr John Robinson (20) of Swallow Drive, John Carew Park, on January 22/23 2000 at John Carew Park.

In other evidence the court heard that the accused admitted he lost his temper when John Robinson threw a bottle at him in Haye’s bedroom. The deceased had been staying in Gerard Haye’s home for four days prior to the killing as he was barred from his own home.

Detective Garda Pat Cox, Roxboro, gave evidence of having interviewed the accused in Roxboro on January 23. He said the accused told gardai that on the day of the killing, he and Mr Robinson had bought 16 pints of beer. At around 1.30am, having drank all but one and a half bottles, they retired for the night.

Detective Garda Cox said the accused told gardai that Mr Robinson began messing and threw a bottle at him and he fired it back. The next time the deceased threw the bottle it hit the accused on the head.

The accused told gardai he went to pick up the knife that was lying on the ground beside John Robinson. Asked who had the knife the accused replied he [Robinson] had the knife."

Detective Garda Cox told the court the accused said: "I went to stab him in the arm". When his mother, Kathleen Hayes, came into the bedroom and turned on the light the accused "saw blood on his [Robinson’s] face".

The detective garda said the accused told gardai: "I feel terrible, we were good friends." When shown a knife in the garda station and asked if that was the knife he had used, the accused replied: "Yeah, that’s it."

Detective Garda Cox told the court the accused then turned away and began to retch.

The trial before continues tomorrow when the defence opens its case.