A DUBLIN man has gone on trial accused of murdering one man and seriously injuring another by stabbing them both in the heart almost five years ago.
Martin Toland (36), Walkinstown Park, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Alan Nolan (28) Cedarbrook Walk, Ballyfermot, on September 8th, 2007. He has also pleaded not guilty of recklessly or intentionally causing serious harm to James Carroll (30) on the same date.
On the opening day of the trial, Anthony Sammon SC, prosecuting, told the jury Mr Toland has claimed from the start that he had been attacked by the two men and had acted in self-defence.
Mr Sammon also claimed the injuries inflicted on the two men bore a “striking similarity” in that both suffered stab wounds to the heart ventricle, and that Mr Carroll’s life was saved only by skilled medical intervention.
The trial heard that the men had been playing a PlayStation and cards in Mr Nolan’s home on the night in question. All three had been drinking and taking ecstasy, while Mr Nolan and Mr Carroll had smoked cannabis.
The jury was told that Mr Nolan was getting text messages from his then girlfriend and a former girlfriend when a row broke out between him and Mr Toland concerning Mr Nolan’s parting with his former girlfriend.
The jury is to hear evidence from Mr Carroll that Mr Nolan told Mr Toland sternly to come upstairs to sort it out and that both men then went upstairs to a bedroom. Mr Carroll claims he heard a commotion a few minutes later and followed the men upstairs to find Mr Toland pinning Mr Nolan to the bed.
Mr Toland claims Mr Nolan produced the knife with a view to attacking him, but then tripped, allowing Mr Toland to disarm him and take the knife.
Mr Carroll says he was ushering Mr Toland downstairs and out of the house when Mr Nolan said something that enraged Mr Toland. He then barged at Mr Carroll, stabbing him three times, before getting to Mr Nolan and stabbing him.
The jury will hear a recording of Mr Toland’s call to emergency services, claiming he had been attacked by the two men and had acted in self-defence. The emergency services arrived at the scene to find Mr Toland attempting to give CPR to Mr Nolan on the couch downstairs.
Mr Sammon told the jury that it was important they try the count of murder and of assault causing serious harm separately.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White and a jury of seven women and five men.