An 82-year-old man was killed "in a savage attack" by a man who wanted his bank card to get money from an ATM machine, a murder trial jury heard yesterday.
Edward Comyn SC, prosecuting, said Michael Creighton suffered 18 multiple rib fractures associated with bleeding into his left chest cavity and the collapse of his left lung.
He said that State Pathologist, Prof Marie Cassidy, would tell the jury that this pattern of injuries was consistent with direct trauma caused by either a heavy force or someone kneeling or sitting astride his body.
Mr Comyn said the jury at the Central Criminal Court would hear evidence that gardaí found Mr Creighton's body, tied at the hands and feet, when they entered his flat after concerns were raised about him.
It was the opening day of the trial of Ian Kinahan (37), of no fixed abode, who has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Creighton between August 31st and September 4th, 2005 at Mr Creighton's flat at Belvedere Court, Castle Street, Mullingar, Co Westmeath. This plea was not accepted by the State.
Mr Comyn said that Prof Cassidy would tell the jury that while Mr Creighton had some evidence of heart disease, he was reasonably healthy. Prof Cassidy found that the chest injuries would have affected Mr Creighton's ability to take in oxygen leading to loss of consciousness and eventual death. Counsel said that Prof Cassidy was unable to say when exactly Mr Creighton died.
"He was tied up, he was attacked. He sustained these injuries by considerable force being applied to his chest and abdomen. The effect of that was deprivation of oxygen," he said.
He said the jury would hear evidence that the accused man had stayed at Mr Creighton's flat from time to time and there was evidence that Mr Creighton had helped him out from time to time. Mr Creighton was a retired engineer who lived alone in a one roomed flat.
Mr Comyn said the jury would hear that between August 31st and September 4th, 2005 there were five attempts made using a bank card to access money from an ATM machine. There was also a sixth attempt in a different area. These were unsuccessful because the correct PIN number was not used.
"What we say is that it was the accused man who attempted to access this money and it was the use of that card that was the reason why the attack was made on the deceased man," he added.
The trial is continuing before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury of 11 men and one woman.