A witness in a murder trial was a "liar and a perjurer", a jury in the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
In his closing speech for the defence, Mr John Rogers SC told the jury a prosecution witness was a "liar and perjurer in that box" and he was "treating you, the juror, with contempt."
Mr Patrick Joseph McGreene (29), with addresses at Corrib Park and St Mary's Road, Galway, has denied the murder of his uncle, Mr Tom Clisham (53), between November 24th and December 4th, 1997, at Inveran, Co Galway.
A witness, Mr Micheal Folan, had earlier told the court the deceased died on November 24th, 1997, after a row involving the accused.
Mr Rogers told the jury there was "uncontradicted evidence from three witnesses" who said they saw Mr Clisham on November 28th and that Mr Folan's evidence was "literally all over the place".
In his closing speech, counsel for the prosecution Mr Michael Durack SC said there had been a row between Mr P.J. McGreene and Tom Clisham on the night of November 24th, 1997, and that blood was spilt.
He said blood found on the shin of the deceased was consistent with Mr McGreene's blood and that of 4 per cent of the population.
Blood found on the accused's lace was consistent with Mr Clisham's blood and that of 5 per cent of the population. Mr Durack said there was a row between the accused and the deceased and that the ultimate cause of death was choking, carried out by Mr McGreene, and the evidence was such as to not allow reasonable doubt.
Mr Justice Cyril Kelly asked the jury to bring an overnight bag with them today in case they would be asked to go to a hotel.
The court previously heard that the deceased was found dead in his home wearing only socks, with his hands bound loosely.
Domestic pets or rodents had eaten away at the flesh of the body and there was evidence of bleeding into the mastoid and a vertical fracture of the airpipe.
The trial continues today.