Taking ecstasy at a party did not contribute to Brian Mulvaney's death, the State Pathologist told a murder trial jury yesterday. Dr John Harbison agreed with Mr Tom O'Connell, prosecuting, that if Mr Mulvaney (19) hadn't suffered extensive physical injuries he would not have died.
This was disputed by Ms Mary Ellen Ring SC, defending, at the Central Criminal Court.
Dr Harbison was giving evidence on the seventh day of the trial of Mr Brian Willoughby (24), Orwell Park, Templeogue, Mr Neal Barbour (20), Domville Road, Templeogue, and a teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons. The three deny the murder of Mr Mulvaney, Firhouse, Dublin, on March 11th, 2000, at Templeogue.
Dr Brídín Brady, a chemist in the State laboratory, told the court that both ecstasy and cannabis were found in the blood of the deceased. Under cross-examination by Mr Michael McMahon SC, for Mr Willoughby, she said every individual had a different response to ecstasy.
Dr Harbison listed numerous injuries to the deceased, which he described as "critically severe and relevant to the cause of this man's death". He said the primary cause of Mr Mulvaney's death resulted from a large amount of blood in his lungs which he could not cough up, because he was knocked unconscious.
He concluded death was due to the "inhalation of blood from a laceration in the lower lip and from the nose, because of the suppression of his cough reflex, which was from concussion, due to his head injuries". The prosecution case has concluded and the defence will begin today.