Garda assault trial continues

A key witness in the trial of a Garda accused of assaulting a man, who died shortly after his release from custody, has said he "can't remember" whether the alleged victim was verbally abusive and aggressive.

Garda Brendan Whitty, who was stationed at Kevin Street Station, denies assaulting Keith Murphy at Thomas Street in Dublin, in September 2007.

Martin Wall, who was with Mr Murphy when he was arrested, has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that although he originally said Garda Whitty had used a baton, he may have been mistaken.

He told the jury that he had been using heroin and taking pills at the time of the arrest, and is currently on remand at Cloverhill Prison pending other criminal matters.

Eyewitnesses told the opening day of the trial that as Mr Murphy crouched on his hunkers saying 'I didn't do anything", Garda Whitty hit him with an extendable baton.

Mr Murphy was found unconscious after his release from custody, but the Prosecution say he died from drug use, and that the accused garda did not cause his death.