Accused claims he tried to stop another man from 'dancing on head' of homeless Corkman

James Brady said that Timothy Hourihane was his friend adding, "we were in treatment together, I knew him a long time."

James Brady (right) told the court he liked Mr Hourihane, who cheered him up when he was low and always gave him advice. He said that he never cared that Mr Hourihane was gay and accepted him for who he was. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney/Cork Courts

A man accused of murdering Cork chef Timmy Hourihane said that he tried to pull another man off him who was "dancing on his head" saying "you gay bastard" as Mr Hourihane lay groaning on the ground.

James Brady said that he was “very close” to Mr Hourihane who "had a good heart". He knew Mr Hourihane for at least six years before his violent death on October 13, 2019.