A defence lawyer acting for one of five Limerick men accused of murdering Mr Keiran Keane, today claimed the chief witness in the case was actually involved in the killing.
Mr Brendan Nix SC said the charges against his client were essentially based on the evidence of a single witness, Mr Owen Treacy - the murdered man's nephew. He told the jury that if they doubted Mr Treacy was telling the whole truth then "that's the end of it".
"Whoever did it, he [Owen Treacy] was in on it" said Mr Nix, summing up for the accused Mr Christopher "Smokie" Costelloe at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
"Owen Treacy was not tied in the same way as his uncle. Kieran Keane and Owen Treacy were not dealt with in a similar way, nor way they trussed up in a similar way, nor was he [Treacy] to be shot" Mr Nix said.
He added that Sunday Worldcrime reporter Paul Williams "got it wrong" when he wrote that the killers attempted to shoot Owen Treacy but the gun misfired. "Owen Treacy doesn't even say that. He got it wrong. Even from Owen Treacy's mouth there was no attempt to shoot".
Mr Nix's closing brought to an end summing up on behalf of the prosecution and the five defence teams. Trial judge Mr Justice Paul Carney began his charge to the jury which is expected to continue tomorrow.
The five accused have pleaded not guilty to the murder of Kieran Keane (36) of Garryowen House, Garryowen, Limerick on 29th January last at Drombana, Bushy Island, Limerick and to falsely imprisoning Mr Keane on the same date.
They also deny the attempted murder of Owen Treacy (31) of St Munchin's Street, St Mary's Park, Limerick on 29th January 2003 at Drombana and to falsely imprisoning him on the same date.
They are: Mr David "Frogs Eyes" Stanners (31) of Pineview Gardens, Moyross; Desmond Dundon (20) of Hyde Road, Limerick; Anthony "Noddy" McCarthy (21) of Fairgreen, Garryowen; Christopher "Smokie" Costelloe (20) of Moylish Avenue, Ballynanty Beg and James McCarthy (24) of Delmege Park, Moyross.