Jury in murder trial sent away as legal argument begins

The jury in the trial of two men accused of beating a civil servant to death have been sent away until Friday week as the case enters lengthy legal argument in the Central Criminal Court.

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 December 1, 1998 at Clune Road.

The jury has heard that the two accused were just 15 years old when, it is claimed, they punched and kicked Mr Fitzpatrick, who died from head injuries three days later.

The jury heard evidence that he sustained massive bleeding to the brain and the cause of death was blunt force injury.

Before going into legal argument today, Sergeant Kevin Smith of Blanchardstown garda station gave evidence of detention.

He told the jury the accused were each presented with a notice of rights and entitlements in custody and granted access to a solicitor.

The trial before Mr Justice Liam McKechnie continues tomorrow in the absence of the jury.