A YOUTH died from the combination of blood in his chest and blood inhalation as a result of a single stab wound, the State Pathologist, Prof John Harbison told a jury at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court yesterday.
Prof Harbison was giving evidence on the second day of the trial of Mr Kevin Costello (22) of Limekiln Green, Walkinstown, Dublin.
Mr Costello denies the manslaughter of his friend, Mr Christopher Baitson (17) during a row at a New Year's Eve party in Tallaght in 1993. He also denies charges of riot and affray on the same occasion.
Shown a knife gardai recovered with the accused man's help, Prol Harbison said it was "consistent with the infliction of the wound".
In reply to Mr Gregory Murphy SC, prosecuting, Prof Harbison said no great force world have been required to inflict the wound as the knife travelled through soft tissue.
The wound was mainly to the back and had travelled through the left lung and the branch of the left wind pipe. Death was due to the combination of blood in the left chest and inhalation of blood, he said.
The trial before Judge Kevin Haugh continues.