A Cork man accused of murder allegedly struck his victim with an axe seven times in the head, a jury heard at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Mr Patrick McCarthy SC said the victim, Mr Gerard Hackett (49), sustained extensive injuries to the head, body, face and legs.
Mr McCarthy said Mr Hackett had seven hatchet or axe marks on the head, and injuries that seemed to have been caused by a brick being dropped on his face.
Mr Mark Allingham (23), Father Murphy Place, Midleton, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Hackett on an unknown date between October 18th, 2002, and October 21st, 2002, at The Rock, Towns Park, Midleton, Co Cork.
Mr McCarthy alleges that the blood on the clothing of Mr Allingham is the same as the DNA found on the deceased.
He also told the jury that both the deceased and the accused had drink problems.
It is alleged by the prosecution that Mr Hackett, who lived for five years in the Simon Community and who had previously lived at Reen Downey Place, Cork, left the hostel at 2.40 p.m. on October 18th, 2002, after Mr Allingham called for him.
Two days later Mr Hackett was found murdered at The Rock, a derelict house on the outskirts of Midleton.
The trial continues on Monday before Mr Justice O'Donovan.