A Kerry man accused of murdering a teenager was "stitched up" in a similar fashion to the Birmingham Six and the Guild ford Four, his counsel told a Central Criminal Court jury yesterday.
"This is like the Birmingham Six and the Guildford Four," Mr Blaise O'Carroll SC said. Mr Michael "John the Bobs" O'Brien (26), single and unemployed of Gallowsfield, Tralee, Co Kerry, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of James Healy (16) of Shanakill, Tralee, at Monavalley Industrial Estate in Tralee on or about February 22nd, 1997.
In his closing address on the 41st day of the trial, Mr O'Carroll, defending, told the jury that Mr O'Brien was innocent and was being used as a scapegoat.
"The guards entered into a cold, calculating conspiracy to gather evidence to build a case" that could "destroy an innocent human being", he said. "He is convinced that you are going to see that. He is convinced he is going home on Thursday."
Mr Healy's body was found on waste ground near a factory, three days after he disappeared.
The State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison, previously told the court that 13 of Mr Healy's teeth were knocked out, pieces of his jaw dislodged and he had 20 head injuries. Three-and-a-half of teeth were later found lodged in his windpipe and lungs. Cause of death was as a result of suffocation, head injuries and shock.
Mr O'Carroll will continue his defence submissions before Mr Justice Dermot Kinlen and a jury of eight women and four men today.