Murder trial jury retires to consider verdict

A jury in the trial of a 38-year-old Limerick man accused of murder by stabbing is expected to retire to consider a verdict on Tuesday next.

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

Mr Gerard Clarke SC summed up the prosecution case before the jury today before it was sent away until Tuesday next, when it will hear the defence closing speech and directions from trial judge, Mr Justice Carney.

Gerard Hayes argues that he did not intend to kill or cause serious injury when he stabbed Mr Robinson.

Relying on what Hayes is alleged to have told gardaí, the prosecution argues that he lost his temper and hit out at Mr Robinson, intending to cause him serious injury or death.

A post mortem showed the deceased sustained 36 stab wounds and 27 incisions mainly to the head, face, chest and arms.

The cause of death was loss of blood due to two stab wounds to the jugular vein on both sides of the neck.

The jury heard that Robinson had been staying in the accused's house when the incident took place in the early hours of the morning of January 23.

Both men had drink taken and an argument developed between them.

Mr Robinson was away from his parents' house at Deer Court because of a barring order against him.

He had been sleeping on the floor of Gerard Hayes' bedroom.