DNA on accused's clothing matched that of muder victim

A murder trial jury heard today that DNA found on the clothing of the accused matched that of the murder victim.

The jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin heard that the DNA sample matched that of James Donoghue who was fatally stabbed on September 10, 2006.

Dr Moran Smith said that the DNA taken from the bloodstains on the back of the accused Brian Joyce's tracksuit bottoms matched that of Mr Donoghue.

Bernard Christopher Joyce (also known as Brian), aged 21, has denied murdering James Donoghue (aged 26) as part of a joint enterprise with two other men at Dane Road, Ballymun on September 10t 2006. He also denies the charges of violent disorder and production of a knife on the same date.

Dr Smith said that DNA taken from a carving knife found at the home of the accused matched that of James Donoghue.

Detective Garda Thomas Carey who attended the accused's home at Carton Terrace, Poppintree, Ballymun said he removed the knife from a cupboard in the kitchen after he noticed staining on the blade.

Annette Whelan who was with Mr Donoghue on the night of the incident said she saw a big man pull a knife out of his jacket and was shouting "come on, come on". She said: "I couldn't tell you what kind of knife it was but it was a long knife."

Prosecuting Counsel Roger Sweetman SC read the jury a statement from Dr Dara Hughes who was working in the emergency department of the Mater Hospital on the night of September 10, 2006 and was responsible for the care of James Donoghue.

Dr Hughes said that upon Mr Donoghue's arrival at the hospital at 2.35am his heart had already stopped and resuscitation was commenced. Mr Donoghue had external wounds to his right anterior chest wall and the left side of his chest. He was pronounced dead at 3.15am at the Mater Hospital.

The trial continues before Mr Justice George Birmingham and a jury of six men and six women at the Central Criminal Court.