An Offaly publican suffered heart failure after he was beaten, bound with a dog lead and left to die, the trial of the man accused of killing him has heard.
The jury in the trial of Eddie Wing (31) for the manslaughter of 64-year-old Matt Farrell in April 2009 was told the principal cause of Mr Farrell’s death was blunt force trauma to the head and face.
Wing, with a previous address at Roscrea, Co Tipperary, has pleaded not guilty to the unlawful killing of Mr Farrell at the Gaelic Bar, Daingean, Co Offaly, on April 1st 2009. He has also denied burglary on the same date. The main prosecution witness is a jailhouse informant who claims Eddie Wing confessed to the killing when they shared a cell in the Midlands Prison in late 2009.
Yesterday, Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis told Mary Rose Gearty SC, prosecuting, the pain and stress of being beaten and left bound on the floor most likely led to Mr Farrell having a heart attack.
The court heard Mr Farrell was known to have had heart disease and diabetes and an autopsy revealed his heart was “monstrously enlarged”. Dr Curtis said Mr Farrell suffered head injuries during the attack and these were singled out as the main cause of death.
Det Sgt Ger Clavin told Ms Gearty that after his arrest Mr Wing denied ever being in the Gaelic Bar. The trial continues before Judge Patrick McCartan and a jury of seven men and five women.