A man who was allegedly murdered on the orders of a gang leader he tried to double-cross was shot at such close range that gunpowder marks were left tattooed on his forehead, a jury has heard.
The State Pathologist, Dr John Harbison, told the Central Criminal Court trial of Mr Derek Casserly (32), formerly of Donomore Crescent, Killinarden, Tallaght, that two bullets were lodged in the skull of the deceased man, Mr Michael Godfrey.
A Garda technical expert, Det Garda Michael Keating, said he was satisfied the bullets were fired from an automatic pistol which the prosecution says was later found buried in the field where the killing allegedly took place.
Mr Casserly has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Godfrey (55), formerly of Thatch Road, Whitehall, Dublin, in a field off Scribblestown Lane, Finglas, on or about April 4th, 1993.
He has also denied he falsely imprisoned Mr Godfrey against his will a short time earlier on April 3rd, 1993, at a flat on the North Circular Road.
The prosecution alleges Mr Casserly was part of a plot to abduct and kill Mr Godfrey, although it does not argue that he fired either of the fatal shots.
A couple returning home to Scribblestown Lane gave evidence that on the morning of April 4th they saw a car the same colour and type as Mr Godfrey's car parked on the lane just after 12.20 a.m.
Ms Isobel Harbison, daughter of the State Pathologist, was discharged from the jury after she learned her father was giving evidence.
The trial continues with 11 jurors.
In his evidence, Dr Harbison told Mr Tom O'Connell SC, prosecuting, the first bullet glanced through Mr Godfrey's forehead, just above his right eyebrow. The shot left "powder tattooing" on the forehead from burning gunpowder.
The range was "very close but not contact range". The second bullet was fired from a slightly longer distance, Dr Harbison said. It lodged in the centre of the skull, causing instant death.
He said he was "quite satisfied" Mr Godfrey was killed in the field. He told Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC, defending, there was only a short interval between the firing of the two fatal shots.
Det Garda Keating told Mr Roger Sweetman, prosecuting, Mr Godfrey's Renault car was found parked up Scribblestown Lane the morning after the killing. A multi-coloured balaclava was found on the ground near the car.
He found two .32 discharged cartridges and a live round of .32 calibre ammunition close to Mr Godfrey's body.
The prosecution has told the jury that in June 1993, acting on information received, gardai found a .32 automatic pistol buried in the field.
After yesterday's evidence, the jury were sent away by Mr Justice Finnegan while legal argument begins in in the Central Criminal Court trial.
The trial is not expected to resume until at least Friday.