A Limerick barman who was kicked to death during a mugging attempt in the city four years ago was suffering from advanced throat cancer at the time he was killed, the Central Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Mr Justice Carney warned the jury that the fact that the victim, Mr Noel Pyper, was going to die from cancer was "absolutely irrelevant" to its deliberations.
The State pathologist, Dr John Harbison, said Mr Pyper sustained multiple fractures to his nose, jaw and cheekbones.
There was evidence of haemorrhage in both eyes, indicating a "struggle to breathe" or direct injuries to the head.
There was also bleeding to the back and right side of the brain.
It was the second day of the trial of Mr Raymond Casey (37) of Ashe Avenue, John Carew Park and Mr Anthony Casey (20) with an address at Mount Pleasant Avenue, both in Limerick, who have pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Pyper at, or near, Newenham Street in the city on 12th August 1997.