A Dublin man pleaded not guilty yesterday at the Central Criminal Court to murdering a former All-Ireland boxing champion 2½ years ago.
Mr Anthony Burke (34), of Clancarthy Road, Artane, denied stabbing Joseph Sutcliffe (32), at Fatima Mansions, Rialto in Dublin's south inner city.
Ms Mary Ellen Ring, SC, for the State, told the jury of five men and seven women that the deceased had two children when he was stabbed to death on October 13th, 2002. Ms Ring said Mr Sutcliffe had been one of 11 children, originally from Drimnagh, and at the age of 16 had drifted into the use of heroin and later cocaine, eventually becom- ing addicted. By October 2002, he had become involved in crime, and was staying with friends in the Fatima Mansions flat complex.
The court was told that on the Sunday morning when Mr Sutcliffe sustained the single stab wound to his abdomen, the accused was in the council housing complex. At 2.45 a.m. he was rushed to hospital, but died an hour later despite medical intervention.
The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney will resume on Thursday afternoon.