The jury in a murder trial in the Central Criminal Court were told yesterday that the deceased was a thug with murder on his mind on the night of his death.
Mr John Murray (26), of Clarina Park, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick and his brother, Mr Gerard Murray (19), of Garryglass Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, have each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Edward Waters (19), formerly of Columcille Street, King's Island, Limerick, at a house in Clarina Park on December 1st, 1997.
Their sister, Ms Sharon Murray, had been in a relationship with Mr Waters since she was 12. The pair had two children together but the jury have heard their relationship was marred by domestic violence.
In his summing up for the defence, Mr Patrick Gageby SC said Mr Waters had a propensity for violence and said to Ms Murray: "If I can't have you, no one else will."
"Could there be a clearer threat to life?" Mr Gageby said.
When going out that evening, Mr Waters had a large pointed kitchen knife and he was "not going out for cooking lessons," Mr Gageby said. "It couldn't be clearer, he had murder on his mind."
In his summing up for the prosecution, Mr Brendan Nix told the jury that every person had the right to life.
Mr Nix put it to the jury that they heard the injuries of the deceased and said it was a matter for them whether or not the force used was reasonable.
Mr Justice Kinlen will charge the jury on Monday.