A man who was found stabbed to death at his home in Co Waterford had just returned from the funeral of a victim of a terrorist attack, a murder trial heard yesterday.
Anthony Barnes (21), Clonard Park, Ballybeg, Waterford city, was charged with the murder of horse-breeder Richard Forristal (68) at his home in Co Waterford.
Prosecuting counsel Paul O'Higgins SC, on the opening day of the murder trial, told how Mr Forristal was found dead at his home in Carrigavantry Stud on July 21st last.
The murder trial, the first to be tried in Waterford since the State was established, attracted a large media presence in what are also the first sittings of the Central Criminal Court in the city.
The jury of nine women and three men learned how Mr Forristal's body was discovered by a friend at 2.25pm when he returned about 20 minutes after dropping off Mr Forristal at his home.
Mr Barnes has pleaded guilty to trespassing at Mr Forristal's home on July 21st but has denied the charge of murder at that address on the same date.
Mr Forristal was found shortly after returning from the funeral of Tara Whelan, Ballyduff, Co Waterford.
Ms Whelan (17), from nearby Kilmeaden, was killed in a terrorist attack in Kusadasi, Turkey on July 17th last, while on holiday with friends.
Mr O'Higgins continued that Louis Murphy left his friend home shortly after 2pm to collect another man, before they returned for a meal.
However, upon their return Mr Murphy found some "resistance" when he tried to get into the house, as the dead man was lying with his feet against a back door, facing on to a kitchen-cum-living room.
Mr Forristal had died after receiving a number of stab wounds.
These included injuries to "the upper left area of the chest and a wound to the right lung, with lesser injuries to the left forearm and left index finger," added Mr O'Higgins.
An implement penetrated his aorta and oesophagus.
At about 2.30pm the next day, Mr Barnes, accompanied by his father Alex, went to Waterford Garda station and admitted to killing a man in Tramore the previous day, it emerged.
The murder trial, due to start at 11am, did not start until 2pm as the accused had not arrived from St Patrick's Institution yesterday morning for the trial.
However, Andrew Halligan (21), Ardmore Park, Waterford City, yesterday morning pleaded guilty to a charge of trespassing at Mr Forristal's home on the same date.
Mr Justice Paul Carney told members of the jury that "Halligan entered the dwelling house of Mr Forristal with intent to commit the arrestable charge of theft on that date".
Halligan pleaded guilty and will remain on continuing bail until the conclusion of the murder trial.
Earlier in the day onlookers, including the friends and family of Mr Forristal, waited on the steps of the courthouse for the start of the trial, which it is believed may last up to two weeks.
The trial continues today