A Cork man was bludgeoned to death by another man in a disused house in the city, a murder trial jury was told in the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
In the opening day of the trial, Mr William "Buster" Carroll (42) of no fixed abode, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Thomas Harte (43) of Allen's Square, Ballymacthomas, Cork in a disused house in Leitrim Street in the city between May 19th and 20th, 1997.
Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, for the prosecution, told the jury they would hear evidence that Mr Harte met his death in a very violent fashion in a house frequented by people living rough who went there to drink.
Mr Harte was attacked, sustaining multiple blows to the head and body, Mr Vaughan Buckley said.
The blows, which were consistent with being struck with a blunt instrument, resulted in Mr Harte sustaining a fractured skull, the loss of several teeth, a broken nose and the inhalation of blood, causing death.
Counsel said the jury would hear evidence from witnesses that around the time of the assault, horrific screams were heard coming from the house.
The jury were told they would hear evidence that shortly after the death of Mr Harte, the accused spoke to another man in a way that "could be regarded as incriminating himself".
Mr Vaughan Buckley also said forensic tests carried out on blood found on the clothes of the accused matched blood group samples taken from the deceased.
A toaster found at the scene was identified as having been smeared with Thomas Harte's blood and hair, which might enable the jury "to draw the conclusion that perhaps the toaster was used in a vicious assault on Thomas Harte," counsel said.
The trial, before Mrs Justice McGuinness and a jury of eight women and four men, will resume today.