Court hears forensic evidence in murder case

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has heard evidence from forensic scientists in relation to samples of blood taken from the scene of an alleged murder.

Brian Rattigan (aged 28), Cooley Rd, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (aged 21), Mourne Rd, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Rd, Crumlin on August 25, 2001.

It is the prosecution’s case that Mr Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra that had pulled up outside the Abrakebabra fast-food outlet at Crumlin Shopping Centre before he stabbed Mr Gavin in a “targeted attack.”

Dr Mary Giblin, of the Forensic Science Lab, Phoenix Park, told Ms Pauline Walley SC, prosecuting, that she received a swab in a vial labelled: “Finger-mark on front window of Abrakebabra, Crumlin Shopping Centre.”

She analysed the swab and it tested positive for blood.

Dr Geraldine O’Donnell, also of the Forensic Science Lab, told the court that she analysed this blood sample, taken from Abrakebabra’s window, and a blood sample belonging to Mr Gavin.

She compared the DNA profiles of both samples and found that they matched.

The court has previously heard that the second blood sample was swabbed from an area of Abrakebabra’s window above which a palm mark had been found, and that the palm mark was subsequently matched to Mr Rattigan.

Patrick Herbert told the jury that he owned the Coolock Glass company in the summer of 2001.

On July 16 of that year two of his employees replaced the window to the left of the door in Abrakebabra at the Crumlin Shopping Centre.

William Needham told the jury that he worked as a window-cleaner during the summer of 2001 and used to clean the windows of various outlets at the Crumlin Shopping Centre.

He said that he cleaned Abrakebabra’s window on the Wednesday before the alleged murder and that he did not see “blood or bad staining” on the windows.

Susan O’Toole told the court that her ex-boyfriend, Shane Maloney, bought her a Nissan Micra in 2001. She said that they broke up about four to five weeks afterward and that she gave the car back to him.

David Byrne told the court that he could not remember anything unusual happening outside Abrakebabra on August 25, 2001.

Mr Justice Barry White asked him: “Do you witness stabbings every day of the week to such an extent that you cannot remember them?”

Mr Byrne said: “Judge, I was on drugs at the time. I’ve been on drugs the last eight years.”

“How many stabbings have you witnessed?” Mr Justice White asked.

“None,” Mr Byrne replied.

Mr Justice White then asked: “How many times have you made statements hinting you might have witnessed a stabbing?”

Mr Byrne said: “I can’t remember making a statement, Judge.”

The trial resumes on Friday morning, when the prosecution is expected to finish its case.