A tradesman refused to shake hands with a man four days before he helped to beat him to death, a murder trial was told yesterday. Mr Joseph O'Halloran told Mr Michael Shannon to go away when approached by him at a birthday party for Mr Shannon's mother, according to a written statement by Mr O'Halloran.
Several gardai told the Central Criminal Court that both Mr O'Halloran and his cousin, Mr Michael Nihill, showed shock and remorse during questioning in Ennis Garda station.
Mr Michael Nihill (26), of Church Drive, Clarecastle, and Mr Joseph O'Halloran (30), of Argyll Court, New Park Road, London, have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Michael Shannon (34), of Connolly Villas, Ennis, on April 2nd, 2000, but deny murdering him.
The Deputy State Pathologist, Dr Marie Cassidy, told the court that Mr Shannon died from a grip or blow to the neck.
Mr Shane Murphy SC, prosecuting, read from Garda interview notes in which Mr O'Halloran told Garda Thomas Keane that he had returned from England to attend his daughter's confirmation. He admitted that he and Mr Nihill kicked and punched Mr Shannon but said they did not stamp on him.
Mr O'Halloran also denied that he or Mr Nihill had grabbed Mr Shannon by the throat. He said they kicked Mr Shannon repeatedly as he lay on the ground and they may have kicked him in the neck.
Det Garda Seamus Quinn, a ballistics expert, said that a shoe mark found on Mr Shannon's head did not match the footwear of either of the accused.
The trial, before Mr Justice Smith and a jury, continues.