Stab victim died from internal bleeding, court told

A man who was stabbed in the chest and stomach died from internal bleeding, former state pathologist Professor John Harbison confirmed at the Central Criminal court today.

He told a murder trial jury that the deceased man, James Murphy, aged 50, died from "internal bleeding as a result of two stab wounds, the first to the lungs and the second to the liver".

Prof. Harbison was giving evidence at the murder trial of Mr Patrick McGrath, aged 60, of Holborn St, Sligo, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Murphy at Holborn St, Sligo on March 22, 2002.

A seven inch black-handled kitchen carving knife was held up for Prof. Harbison to examine before the jury and he said he was "happy that this was consistent with the injuries of the deceased".

"Blood stains were found on one side of the knife about four inches from the top," he said.

He told the jury that during his post-mortem examination of Mr Murphy, he found a stab wound track through the liver and said that he saw evidence of an "up and down movement of the knife when inserted into the organ".

Prof. Harbison also noted there was "over one litre of blood accumulated in the left chest cavity" from the stab wound to Mr Murphy’s left lung.

Earlier Mr Raymond McCullough told the court that he was the landlord of both the accused and the deceased in March 2002.

He described Mr Murphy, who was originally from Newtownstewart, Co Tyrone, as "an exceptionally good tenant, a model tenant".

"He was very meticulous and clean, a good man and I liked him," said Mr McCullough.

Mr McCullough said he noticed the deceased was "in bad form over a business matter" about three weeks before his death.

He also said that he was first introduced to the accused by Mr Murphy: "I told Jim that if he was a friend of his that certainly I would try to find suitable accommodation for him also, which I did."

He described the accused as "an excellent tenant". "I was aware that they had been friends in England many years earlier. They were good friends, yes," added Mr McCullough.

Detective Garda Paul Casey also told the jury that the victim had four convictions in Northern Ireland, one for "serious assault" and three for road traffic offences.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Carney tomorrow.