Witness alleges accused put knife up sleeve

A jury in the trial of a 20-year-old Dublin man accused of murder today heard that the accused allegedly put a six-inch knife up the left sleeve of his jacket before he attacked the victim.

Jason Larkin of Ravensdale Road, East Wall, Dublin denies stabbing Patrick Costello, aged 31, also of East Wall, at 'The Plough' public house, Marlborough Street on July 4, 2002.

It is claimed by the prosecution that Mr Larkin stabbed the victim after the pair had been involved in a slagging match or row after drinking in the Plough bar for several hours.

The prosecution claim that after Mr Larkin threw a glass at Mr Costello's head they both ended up at the porch of the bar where the accused allegedly drew his knife and lunged it into the ribcage of Mr Costello.

After the victim was stabbed Mr Larkin allegedly fled the scene, withdrew money from an ATM machine and continued drinking in the Forum bar in the city centre before passing by the scene again in the early hours of July 5, 2002.

Brian Cummins, who was drinking in the Plough bar on the night in question with Mr Larkin, told the jury of eight men and four women that he saw the accused "put a knife on the inside of his left hand side of his jacket" after he followed the accused outside the bar on Marlborough Street sometime after 11pm.

Mr Larkin then "went back into the pub to finish his drink", Mr Cummins said.

It is claimed by Mr Cummins that when Mr Larkin saw the deceased standing at the top of the bar he "picked up his glass and hit him across the head with it. Mr Larkin then went back out the door and Mr Costello went after him", he said.

Mr Cummins today gave evidence that he attempted to hold back the deceased from going out to confront Mr Larkin.

Mr Cummins told the jury in in the second day of the murder trial, that he then saw Mr Larkin "swing" at Mr Costello.

The deceased then "fell down holding his side with his hands", Mr Cummins said.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White at the Central Criminal Court.