A Co Louth man has told Dublin Circuit Criminal Court that he had never been in a fight prior to the incident which led to the drowning of a man in the Liffey.
Mr Robert Woods (26), of Carmelite Cottages, Drogheda, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing Mr Barry Grant (20), of Pheasant Run, Clonee, Co Meath, on October 22nd, 1998.
Mr Woods told his counsel, Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, that he never envisaged catching Mr Grant following their chase which led to the latter drowning. Mr Woods said he and his friend, Mr Stephen Kennedy, had chased Mr Grant and another man after they taunted them over their sexuality.
Mr Woods said he could not remember the details because he was in a very drunken state. He remembered grabbing and jostling with Mr Grant, who then disappeared over the wall into the river. He thought about jumping in and trying to help him, but his drunken state and the fact that he was not a very good swimmer prevented him from doing so. He later told gardai he did not know what happened to Mr Grant.
Mr Woods told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, that at the time of the incident he thought he heard a splash but he assumed Mr Grant would get out. Mr Vaughan Buckley suggested that when someone fell into a river the consequences were that they might drown.
The trial continues.