A 44-year-old separated man died after being punched and kicked in the head by a neighbour, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard yesterday. His attacker was remanded in custody for sentence.
There were scenes in the court when a daughter of the victim shouted at the defendant as he was being brought to the cells, before she fainted and had to be carried out by relatives.
Damien Hannigan (30), of Griffith Road, Finglas pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Christopher O'Farrell on January 23rd, 1998 at Griffith Road.
Judge Dominic Lynch said it was a very serious case and he wanted to consider all the evidence. He remanded Hannigan, who has six previous convictions, in custody for sentence on Thursday. Det Insp John Mulligan told prosecuting counsel Mr Paul Coffey BL that Hannigan struck two blows to his victim when they met on the road near their homes. He then kicked him in the head and walked home leaving Mr O'Farrell unconscious.
Forensic evidence showed he died from inhaling blood from the injuries he sustained to his head and as a result of Hannigan grabbing him by the hair and pulling it. Hannigan said in a statement to gardai he had heard Mr O'Farrell breathing heavily while on the ground but thought nothing was the matter with him. It wasn't until he returned home that he realised something had gone very wrong.
The deceased suffered from various diseases including HIV, Hepatitis B and C and was in no position to defend himself. This was known to Hannigan. Mr O'Farrell's body was discovered at 7.30 p.m by two local youths and taken to the Mater Hospital where he was dead on admission.
Det Insp Mulligan told Mr Coffey the incident had had a traumatic effect on the deceased's parents and that his father sat daily by his window looking out to the scene of the incident.
Defence counsel Mr Brendan Grogan SC (with Isobel Kennedy BL) submitted that his client used minimal force that compelled the deceased's head forward to hit the ground and it was the inhalation of his blood while lying immobilised on the ground that actually killed him.
Hannigan also said in a statement to gardai he had deep remorse and regret for what had happened.