Dead civil servant had 'stamping' marks on face, court hears

A civil servant who died after a beating had "patterns" on his face consistent with "stamping", a murder trial was told yesterday.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Maire Cassidy carried out a post mortem in December 1998 on 43-year-old Mr Brian Fitzgerald.

She told the Central Criminal Court that the deceased suffered massive bleeding into the brain stem, multiple rib fractures and bruising to the chest.

Dr Cassidy said that damage was caused to a "vital area" of the brain and such damage "is usually followed very swiftly by death".

Michael Geoghegan (aged 20) of Northway Estate, Finglas and Richard Bourke (aged 20), of Sycamore Park, Finglas East have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Brian Fitzpatrick of Clune Road Finglas on 1 December 1998 at Clune Road. The court has heard that the accused were both 15 when, it is alleged, they beat Mr Fitzgerald to death after he refused to give them cigarettes.

Dr Cassidy told the jury that the blood supply to parts of the deceased's brain was cut off and he had suffered several blows to the head. In particular, she noted pattern marks to the right side of his face consistent with "the sole of somebody's footwear" and was due to "stamping".

Dr Cassidy also noted that the Mr Fitzgerald had an enlarged heart, a medical condition that could precipitate sudden death.

She told the jury that in her opinion, death was caused by "blunt force injury to the head".

Cross examined by Ms Isobelle Kennedy SC, for Michael Geoghegan, Dr Cassidy agreed that she was not given any footwear which would have allowed her to make comparisons with the foot marks on Mr Fitzgerald's face. She agreed with counsel that his heart condition meant he could have died "at any time".

The trial before Mr Justice Liam McKechnie continues next week.