Arson victim had to have legs amputated, court hears

A Kilkenny man allegedly set alight by a friend who thought he was HIV positive suffered life and limb-threatening burns, the Central Criminal Court heard today.

Thomas O’Grady (aged 24) of Fatima Place, Kilkenny, denies two counts of attempting to murder Paul Barry (aged 34), of Ossory Park, Kilkenny on 10 October 1999.

The burns Mr Barry, also known as ‘Tootsie’, sustained later required both of his lower legs to be amputated.

Dr Ian Wilson, who was the consultant surgeon at St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny, when Mr Barry was admitted, told the court he had burns “over 30 percent of his body”.

In addition, Mr Barry suffered a fractured skull, fluid loss and clinical shock.

Georgina O’Grady, a sister of the accused, received a call from her brother on the morning Barry was found lying burnt and semi-naked in the field where he had been drinking.

"Thomas I think said there was a row in the field with Tootsie Barry," she told the court.

Ms O’Grady said her brother smelt strongly of alcohol at the time, and that he asked to be driven to an aunt’s house in Urlingford.

Breda O’Grady, also a sister of the accused, told the court that her brother came to her house to borrow a flashlight on the night of the incident.

He called again a second time, but woke his sister up and left after a "small argument".

The next morning she found him asleep on the couch, and then around two hours later at the front door.

"Thomas said to Georgina something about rows in Danny Mac’s field," said Ms O’Grady.

The jury of eight men and four women were sent away until Friday to allow legal argument to continue in their absence.