Accused 'never intended to kill'

A man accused of murdering a profoundly deaf young man told gardaí he punched him but never intended to kill him, a garda told…

A man accused of murdering a profoundly deaf young man told gardaí he punched him but never intended to kill him, a garda told the Central Criminal Court yesterday.

Det Insp Gerard Healy was giving evidence in the trial of Mr William Roche (23), of Millstream, Killaloe, Co Clare. Mr Roche denies murdering John Carroll (21), of Cappaghmore, Co Limerick, on December 4th, 1998, at Garraun, Co Tipperary.

The garda said that when he interviewed Mr Roche he told him he had met John Carroll shortly after 6 p.m. on the day of the killing. His then girlfriend, Ms Bernadette Fitzgerald, had introduced Mr Carroll to him and the two walked to the local pub. A second man joined them later. Mr Roche told gardaí he left the pub with John Carroll and went to Ms Fitzgerald's sister's house.

He said the second man "went to hit" John Carroll. "I lost my head altogether" and kicked John Carroll "a few times in the lower belly". They then drove up a lane towards Birdhill. "When we turned into the lane Carroll went mad and hit me a box in the jaw. I then punched him and punched him." He said the second man ordered him to lift Mr Carroll out of the car, according to the statement. The second man then took "a chrome ratchet handle" from his car and hit Mr Carroll on the face. The trial continues today.