A profoundly deaf young man was beaten to death with an iron ratchet "over a few lousy pounds", a murder accused told the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
In direct evidence, the accused, Mr William Roche, said it was "not right to see such a person die like that" but denied killing the deceased man, John Carroll (21). The accused admitted kicking the deceased twice on the night of the killing but alleged a second man, not before the court, "killed Mr Carroll that night over a few lousy pounds".
He told Mr Michael Maloney, defending, that he saw the second man hit Mr Carroll two or three times about the head using a foot-long iron ratchet, but admitted he did nothing to stop him. But he said: "I never intended to kill that boy. I had no reason to."
Mr William Roche (23), a native of Limerick with an address at Millstream, Killaloe, Co Clare, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of John Carroll, Cappamore, Co Limerick, on December 4th, 1998, at Garraun, Ballinahinch, Newport, Co Tipperary.
In evidence, Mr Roche denied signing statements in which he was alleged to have dumped clothing and footwear stained with the victim's blood. He also denied punching Mr Carroll in the back of a car driven by the second man.
Mr Dominic McGinn, prosecuting, put it to the accused that he suggested to the second man that they should "ambush" the victim. "I did not", he replied. "I never robbed anyone in my life".
The trial continues today.