Row among youths led to fatal stabbing, court told

A JURY was told yesterday that a street argument between two groups of teenagers exploded with catastrophic consequences when a 14-year old boy was fatally stabbed.

At the Central Criminal Court, prosecuting counsel John O’Kelly SC said that it is the State’s case that during the course of an argument that developed into a fight, John McGovern, then aged 17, produced a knife and stabbed Michael Doherty in the chest. Mr O’Kelly said that Michael Doherty died from the single stab wound.

At the court sitting in Ennis yesterday, John McGovern (19) of Ballyduff, Barefield, Ennis, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Doherty of Ashline, Ennis, at O’Connell Street, Ennis, on June 23rd, 2007.

Mr McGovern also denies producing a knife capable of unlawfully intimidating another person during the course of a row at the same place on the same date.

Counsel for Mr McGovern, Patrick Gageby SC, earlier told the jury that his client is the son of a serving garda in Ennis.

In his opening statement, Mr O’Kelly said that the “unfortunate argument developed into the catastrophic and terrible consequences that occurred”.

Mr O’Kelly said that the argument took place at about 11pm which was about twilight on a Saturday night on the weekend of the fair of Spancil Hill.

Mr O’Kelly said that there were two groups of teenagers, on the street and an argument they were having developed into a fight.

The trial continues today before Mr Justice Paul Carney.