The childhood friend of a Waterford man accused of fatally stabbing a youth at a party, recalled at the Central Criminal Court yesterday taking the knife from him after the alleged incident.
Eoin Barrett was giving evidence in the trial of Justin Longman (19), Larchville, Waterford, who denies murdering Brian O'Neill (18), Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, at Woodlawn Grove in the city last February 13th.
"That was the first thing that came into my head, to get the knife," Mr Barrett told defence counsel Stephen Lanigan-O'Keeffe SC. Mr Longman "was just like a zombie" after the stabbing.
"I didn't think it was him that night. He turned to a different person after the fight. He just didn't know what was going on."
The court heard evidence from Melanie Flynn, who was also at the party.
She recalled Mr O'Neill head-butting Mr Longman. "Something happened and then I can remember Justin walked into the sitting room and Brian walked in and he gave him a slap with his head," she said. "Then Justin's nose started bleeding."
Ms Flynn told the court she went into the kitchen with Mr Longman and gave him tissues to clean his nose. She described watching him open a drawer with knives in it, after which she retreated to the sitting room.
Mr Longman followed and Ms Flynn said Mr O'Neill asked him if he wanted to shake hands or "fight fair play".
A second scuffle broke out and the witness described the accused man holding Mr O'Neill in a "head lock".
"The two of them were fighting and they ended up struggling into a corner," she said.
Shortly afterwards there were shouts that a knife was being used and Mr Barrett intervened.
Darren Flynn, a friend of Mr O'Neill, described seeing blood on his face and assisting him outside. "Brian walked towards me. I got him to the end of the driveway and he told me to get an ambulance."
Previously the court heard from Brian Schweppe, who had planned the party in his home because he was new to the area.
Mr Schweppe said several uninvited guests arrived and the atmosphere began to change.
Faeces were put in the microwave and Mr Schweppe said Mr O'Neill "pissed" inside the house. A fight broke out between Mr Longman and Mr O'Neill, and Mr Schweppe said he saw Mr O'Neill being stabbed a number of times.
The trial continues today.