A Garda fingerprinting expert yesterday told a jury in a murder trial he was "satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt" that the fingerprints on the suspected murder weapon were those of the accused.
Det Garda John Grant, attached to the National Bureau of Criminal Investigations, outlined how there were "sufficient ridge characteristics" present on the palm mark on a knife to link it to the defendant.
Anthony Barnes (20), Clonard Road, Ballybeg, Waterford city, was charged with the murder of horse breeder Richard Forristal (68) at his home in Carrigavantry Stud on July 31st.
Mr Forristal was found in a pool of blood after returning from the funeral of Tara Whelan (17), who was killed in a terrorist attack in Turkey days before while on holiday with friends.
The jury of nine men and three women heard evidence on day three of the murder trial at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford. It is the first time a murder has been tried in the city since the State's inception.
Det Garda Grant said he removed items including a hammer, wallpaper, envelopes and paper, broken glass and a map for fingerprinting on July 24th-25th, 2005.
The jury heard the fingerprints found on a dresser at Carrigavantry Stud matched those on a knife discovered in a field near the crime scene.
The court also learned that the knife alleged to have been used in the attack was identified as the property of Mr Forristal by his friend, Louis Murphy.
Earlier yesterday State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy in her evidence said the injuries inflicted and blood present on the victim's clothing revealed that Mr Forristal had been standing up when he was attacked.
Stab wounds to the left upper chest penetrated the rib cage, lung and aorta. Mr Forristal lost a lot of blood from wounds in his wind pipe and gullet causing him to choke.
Mr Barnes told gardaí in his evidence that he was defending himself from an attack by Mr Forristal when the incident occurred. The trial continues today.
