The elder of two Limerick brothers charged with the murder of their sister's boyfriend has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court that he might have killed the youth but he did not set out to stab him.
Mr John Murray (26), of Clarina Park, Ballinacurra Weston, Limerick, and his brother, Mr Gerard Murray (19), of Garryglass Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston, have each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Edward Waters (19), formerly of Columcille Street, King's Island, Limerick, at a house in Clarina Park on December 1st, 1997.
Their sister, Ms Sharon Murray, had been in a relationship with Mr Waters since she was 12-years-old.
The pair had two children together but the jury has heard that in the weeks before his death, Ms Murray ended the relationship because of Mr Waters's violence towards her and the children.
In a fight with her two brothers, Mr Waters received three stab wounds to the chest, face and forearm. The stab wound to the chest penetrated the left lung, causing death.
As the defence case opened yesterday, Mr John Murray told Mr John Edwards SC, prosecuting: "I accept that I could have wielded the knife but I honestly don't know if I did it."
He denied prosecution claims that he set out with his brother to "sort out" the deceased and that with Mr Waters's record of violent behaviour, he knew he would have to use violence against him.
He told Mr Patrick Gageby SC, defending, that as they struggled in Ms Murray's kitchen, his motivation was to prevent Mr Waters from "going for" his sister.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Kinlen and a jury today.