Man in fatal fight on Christmas leave from prison

A man who was on Christmas leave from prison when he became embroiled in a fatal fight with his ex-girlfriend’s partner has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court.

James Connors (29), of Rosemount, Drinagh, Co Wexford, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of James Ryan (27) at Hollyville Heights in Wexford on January 25th, 2012.

Defence counsel Michael Delaney SC, told the jury Mr Connors had been given temporary leave from Wheatfield Prison for Christmas 2011 but failed to return to prison on December 28th as expected.

The court heard evidence from Samantha Hore (29) who said she had dated Mr Connors on and off for 10 years until 2010. She had lived with Mr Ryan for about a year before his death.

Ms Hore said on January 24th, 2012, Mr Ryan returned home after being out at about midnight and took off his runners. The doorbell rang some 15 minutes later and she asked Mr Ryan to get it.

Having a row

She looked out a window of their first floor apartment and saw Mr Ryan and Mr Connors having a row but could not hear what was said.

Mr Ryan came back into the apartment, she said, put his runners back on and then left. A few minutes later he returned to the apartment with stab wounds to his chest. Under cross-examination by Mr Delaney, Ms Hore agreed she had failed to mention Mr Ryan left the apartment on the night of his death carrying a baton with metal studs in it and that he ran after Mr Connors.

She also agreed that when she spoke to gardaí two hours after the incident, she told them that she heard Mr Ryan say to Mr Connors: “Go away you red bastard.”

Mr Delaney put it to Ms Hore that she was out for “revenge” for her boyfriend’s death and had deliberately omitted those details.

She denied making up the story.

The trial continues.