A murder trial jury at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday heard a statement made by the accused man in which he admitted stabbing the victim. Garda witnesses denied the statement was induced under pressure.
It was the 17th day of the trial of Mr Alan Rooney (30), of Curran Park, Balbriggan, who denies the murder of Mr David Hammond (24), also of Curran Park, during a fight at The Green, Pump Lane, on April 27th, 1996.
In his statement to gardai, Mr Rooney said: 'If I didn't have the knife, he would not be dead now. I can't remember how many times I pushed the knife at him but I had it out all the time.'
On the night of the killing, Mr Rooney drank three or four cans of beer before going for a walk. As he was walking, Mr Hammond started to argue with him. Mr Rooney said he told him to 'f .. off and leave me alone'.
When Mr Hammond kept at him he pulled out a knife he carried in his pocket. 'I always carry the knife because I have been threatened by the drug dealers,' he said. He did not fully remember what he did with it afterwards, but said: 'I know I used it to feed the dog.'
Det Sgt Jerry Healy, then attached to the Serious Crime Section of the Central Detective Unit, Harcourt Square, told Ms Maureen Clark SC, prosecuting, that Mr Rooney signed the form acknowledging that he had received a caution before making the statement and that he also signed the statement.
Det Healy agreed with Mr Anthony Sammon SC, defending, that he had omitted to record a starting time and a finishing time for the statement. He said there was a time recorded at 8.20 pm when the interview was interrupted by the arrival of Mr Rooney's solicitor.
Det Garda Healy said he took offence at a defence suggestion that the statement came about after 'considerable pressure' was exerted on Mr Rooney and a suggestion was put to him that a manslaughter (not murder) charge would result if he signed it.
Closing speeches take place today.