A Doorman at a Limerick disco told a murder trial jury yesterday he saw a man accused of murder point a gun at his wife's chest and then heard the gun go off.
Mr Willie Clancy told the Central Criminal Court that he noticed Mr Mark Cronin crossing the dance floor at the Henry Cecil pub and disco in Limerick.
"He approached his wife and he raised a gun to her chest. She pushed the gun away from her and the gun went off," he said.
The prosecution has claimed that Mr Cronin pointed a handgun at his wife, Ms Angela Collins, in the disco and opened fire but shot Ms Georgina O'Donnell, a mother of one, through the eye. She died the next day.
It was the second day of the trial of Mr Mark Cronin (31), a father of three, of Hyde Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick. He pleads not guilty to the murder of Ms O'Donnell (20), from St Brigid's Avenue, St Mary's Park, Limerick, in the city on May 3rd, 1998.
Mr Cronin also denies having a handgun with intent to endanger life and unlawful possession of the handgun at Lower Cecil Street, Limerick, on May 2nd, 1998.
Mr Clancy said Mr Cronin had his arm fully extended when he pointed the gun at his wife. "As he raised his hand his wife hit his hand. His hand went out to the right-hand side and the gun went off. Mark turned around and walked out the door. I heard someone say there was a girl shot. I went up to where the crowd was gathering and there was a girl on the floor," he said.
Mr John Grant said he saw Mr Mark Cronin pointing his hand at his wife, Biddy. Mr Grant said he turned away and then he heard a bang. Pamela jumped off her chair screaming and there were people around Georgina who was lying on the floor.
Ms Claire Phelan told the jury that she saw Mr Mark Cronin grab his wife by the throat and shoulders after they had a row at the disco. Ms Phelan said Mr Cronin then head-butted his wife in the forehead. He tried to head-butt her again but was pulled back by other people.
The trial before Mr Justice Smith and a jury continues today.