A MAN accused of murder told gardai that people identifying him as being involved in the killing were all telling lies, a jury in the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Mr David McDonagh (44), St Joseph's Park, Dunsink, Finglas, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Timothy Joyce (46), Lydd Caravan Site, Romney Marshes, Kent, on November 9th, 1996, at St Helena's Drive, Finglas, Dublin.
He has also pleaded not guilty to charges of violent disorder and possession of a billhook intended to cause injury or to be used in intimidation at St Helena's Drive on the same date.
Giving evidence, Det Garda John Fitzpatrick, of the Central Detective Unit at Harcourt Square, told the court that he and another garda interviewed Mr McDonagh in relation to the killing.
In a statement allegedly given by him to gardai, Mr McDonagh is quoted as saying he had nothing to say about the incident in Finglas. It was then allegedly put to Mr McDonagh that a number of people had identified him as being involved in the fracas. Mr McDonagh then allegedly said: "It's all lies."
The prosecution has claimed that Mr McDonagh killed Mr Joyce with a slash hook after an argument involving Travellers in Finglas.
The court previously heard that after a funeral in Tullamore, Co Offaly, Mr Joyce and members of his family went to a pub in Finglas, as their boat back to England was delayed.
A scuffle allegedly broke out inside the pub, and later Mr Joyce was stabbed with a curved blade in the neck, the court had heard.
The trial before Mr Justice Carney and a jury continues today.