A 29-year-old Sligo man who broke the blade of a kitchen knife on his wife in a savage stabbing attack denied attempted murder at the Central Criminal Court yesterday.
Czarke Kelly pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his wife, Ms Helen Kelly, by stabbing her with a knife at their home at Ard na Veigh, Sligo, on October 31st, 2002. However, Kelly has pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife by stabbing her with a knife on the same date. Mr Edward Comyn SC, prosecuting, told the jury the key question was one of intent, and whether Kelly had intended to kill his wife by stabbing her. The court heard the couple had separated the week before the incident, but were on friendly terms. Although the accused had moved out of the family home, he was allowed put their two sons to bed each night.
Mr Comyn said on the night in question, Ms Kelly went into the kitchen and saw the accused had returned to the house. "Suddenly, without saying anything, he lunged at her," he said.
"It was a very quick, sudden attack, lasting 10-14 seconds," Mr Comyn added. He told the jury that the blade of the knife was sticking out of her right arm.
The trial continues.