A MAN charged with murder denied mowing down" a father of three with his car, a murder trial jury heard yesterday.
Mr Anthony McLoughlin also denied saying he hoped the "fat bastard" was dead after the car hit Mr Paschal Corcoran as he was walking with his wife and daughter on a pathway near their home. He denied that he deliberately mounted the pavement in his car. Mr Corcoran died later in hospital.
The US ambassador, Mrs Jean Kennedy Smith, sat on the bench alongside Mr Justice Kinlen yesterday afternoon on the second day of the trial of Mr McLoughlin (40). of Dolphin House, Dublin. who has denied the murder of Mr Corcoran (40), of St Mark's Drive, Ronanstown, in Dublin on June 11th, 1994.
He has also denied assaulting Mrs Marion Corcoran, wife of the deceased, in Dublin, on June 9th, 1994.
Mrs Kennedy Smith was welcomed to the Central Criminal Court by the judge and counsel for the prosecution and defence, Mr Paul O'Higgins SC and Mr Gregory Murphy SC.
The judge said he was "extremely honoured" to greet the ambassador during her visit to the courts. He said she would later announce a scholarship for garda who wish to pursue further education in a US university.
The scholarship was in memory of the late Det Garda Jerry McCabe and the gesture would be appreciated by all citizens and those involved in law enforcement, the judge said.
Mr Murphy said he hoped the ambassador would find her visit educational, interesting and enjoyable. Mr O'Higgins said he wished to associate himself with his colleague's remarks.
In court yesterday, Sgt Anthony McHugh said Mr McLoughlin was interviewed by gardai after his arrest outside Kilmainham District Court.
Mr McLoughlin denied deliberately mounting the pavement in his car and "mowing down" Mr Corcoran and said he had lost control of the car.
He said the car had been doing about 1 or 20 miles an hour when it hit Mr Corcoran.
He said he "just panicked" after hitting Mr Corcoran and said he ran to his wife's house at St Mark's Drive.
Mr McLoughlin denied that he had said he hoped "the fat bastard" was dead after Mr Corcoran was knocked down.
He also denied threatening Mr Corcoran and added that if anyone said that, "they are liars".
When it was suggested that he had mounted the footpath and revved up the ear before hitting Mr Corcoran, Mr McLoughlin replied. "That's all lies. It was accidental."
He also denied punching Mrs Corcoran and said he had pushed her away from his wife after she pulled his wife's hair.
Dr Gary Fenlon, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon attached to St James's Hospital, said Mr Corcoran was admitted to the hospital unconscious on June 9th, 1994. He was placed on a ventilator. He had obvious signs of head injury. A scan confirmed subarachnoid haemorrhage and fractures at the base and back of the skull. He was moved to the intensive care unit and later to Beaumont Hospital.
The witness told Mr Murphy there were no notes relating to leg injuries.
Dr Daniel Rawluk, a consultant neurosurgeon attached to Beaumont, said Mr Corcoran came under his care on June 10th, 1994. He was placed in the intensive care unit and some treatment was applied which was unsuccessful. Mr Corcoran experienced severe brain swelling and demonstrated signs of brain stem death which was confirmed the next day.
He agreed Mr Corcoran died in Beaumont on June 11th, 1994.
The trial resumes today.