A man on trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court accused of a serious assault in which the victim lost his only eye denied to gardaí that he had caused the injury.
Mr John Paul Doyle (39), Hebron Road, Kilkenny told gardaí: "If I knew he had only one eye I wouldn't have blinded him. I'm not vindictive like that."
Mr Doyle and Ms Brigid Davis, no fixed abode, deny five charges arising out of the assault of Mr John Delaney on June 28th, 2002. They have pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Delaney, recklessly and intentionally causing him harm and recklessly or intentionally engaging in conduct which created a substantial risk of serious harm to him at Dorset Street, Dublin.
Det Garda Frank Tracey said Mr Doyle denied he had entered Mr Delaney's flat with a broken bottle but admitted to having hit Mr Delaney four times in the face and to giving him two or three kicks to the stomach.The trial continues.