Crumlin murder accused 'very forgetful'

A Dublin man accused of murder told gardaí he couldn’t remember where he was on the night of the alleged murder because he was "a very forgetful person", the Central Criminal Court heard today.

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

It is the prosecution's case that Mr Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra that pulled up outside Abrakebabra fast food outlet at the Crumlin shopping centre before he ‘’made for Declan Gavin’’ with a knife.

Det Sgt Joseph O’Hara told Ms Pauline Walley SC, prosecuting, he arrested Brian Rattigan on September 4, 2001 in Ryan’s pub on James’s Street, Dublin 8, on suspicion of the murder of Declan Gavin.

He said he interviewed Mr Rattigan at Sundrive Road Garda station on September 4 and the early hours of September 5 2001.

Brian Rattigan told Det Sgt O’Hara he "did nothing wrong" and that the gardaí had ‘’the wrong person.’’

When asked by gardaí where he was on the night Mr Gavin was stabbed Mr Rattigan said he couldn’t remember.

He said: "I can’t remember, when I do I will let you know, I am a very forgetful person."

Mr Rattigan told Det Sgt O’Hara if he had stabbed Mr Gavin he would tell the gardaí all about it.

He said: ‘If I did it I would come in here and tell you all about it, definitely.’

Mr Rattigan told gardaí: "I don’t know where you're getting your information from it must be the rats."

The trial continues before Mr Justice George Birmingham and a jury of eight men and four women.