Two men have gone on trial in relation to the stabbing of a garda during a drugs raid in Athlone, Co Westmeath.
Brothers Anthony (22) and William McCarthy (19) deny assaulting two gardaí during an early-morning raid at their home in Battery Heights, Athlone, on October 13th, 2007.
Longford/Westmeath drug unit’s Garda Aidan Lyons was hospitalised and required surgery when he received four stab wounds during the raid. His colleague, Garda Michael Ryan, suffered a sprained wrist and back injuries.
Prosecution counsel John Hayden said the State would claim William had attacked gardaí with a large stick while Anthony “began slashing indiscriminately” with a knife when officers entered the house.
Counsel for the accused said the pair had mistaken the gardaí for intruders. The trial will resume tomorrow.