A man has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Cork charged with murder two years ago. Michael McCarthy (24), Ballyspillane, Killarney, Co Kerry, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Faulkner (43) at Mitchell's Crescent, Tralee, on August 23rd, 2004.
During the opening of the trial yesterday, John Edwards SC, prosecuting, told the jury of the injuries sustained by Mr Faulkner when he was allegedly attacked with a slash hook.
The court heard Mr Faulkner lived on Mitchell's Crescent. At 11.15pm on the night of his death, he was walking in the area. At the junction of Mitchell's Crescent and Mitchell's Avenue, he met his 12-year-old son.
"Some time later, the evidence will say, a wine-coloured van drove into the junction at the grotto side," said Mr Edwards. "Michael McCarthy got out of the van and turned to the front door and took a slash hook from the vicinity of the driver's door. He then walked towards Mr Faulkner and swung the slash hook at him - he was struck.".
Mr Edwards alleged that Mr Faulkner managed to grab hold of the slash hook and "take possession" of it. He swung the hook and broke the van's windscreen.
During the incident a second man, Francie McCarthy, arrived at the scene. He also had a slash hook "and intervened in some manner".
Mr Faulkner dropped to the ground and Michael McCarthy struck him "several times".
Francie McCarthy had allegedly attempted to stop him from hitting Mr Faulkner.
"The intervener was trying to stop Michael McCarthy from attacking Mr Faulkner, however he persisted and in doing so caused very, very serious injuries," added Mr Edwards.
Michael McCarthy became a suspect early on in the investigation and at 4.30am he was apprehended by gardaí in Tralee.
Mr Edwards told the jury of the horrific injuries sustained by Mr Faulkner. One of the blows completely severed his jaw bone, while another separated a section of jaw containing three teeth.
There were multiple bone dislocations and he received an irregular stab wound to his back.
Mr Edwards said the State would present five witnesses who would identify Michael McCarthy as the perpetrator of the crime and that forensic evidence would also be heard.
The case continues today before Judge Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court, sitting in Cork.