Lithuanian man's murder trial nears end

The trial of a Lithuanian man accused of murder has reached its closing stages at the Central Criminal Court.

Mr Justice George Birmingham told the jury today that it had now heard all evidence in the case. It will hear closing speeches tomorrow before beginning its deliberations.

Mantas Pauliukonis (aged 25), with an address at Park West Crescent, Clondalkin has pleaded not guilty to murdering Aleksandrs Filusins at Oaklands Avenue, Swords on June 3, 2007.

He also pleaded not guilty to assaulting Sergej Cuksejev causing him harm at Taylor's Public House in Swords on the same date.

Mr Filusins' femoral artery was severed when he was stabbed in the leg. He suffered massive blood loss and died in hospital.

It is the prosecution's case that the accused man stabbed the deceased following a altercation at a disco in Swords.