A COUNTY council labourer struck the man charged with his murder - "two boxes" before the defendant hit back, the Central Criminal Court has been told.
Mr Patrick Campbell said yesterday he saw Mr Michael Doogue "face up" to Mr John Lammon after a row involving Mr Lammon and his former lover, Mrs Angela Kelly at the Greenhills estate in Athy on May 24th, 1995.
He said Mr Lammon and Mrs Kelly were shortly before involved in a struggle and Mrs Kelly had shouted to Mr Doogue for help. Mr Doogue ran over to them, put his hand on Mr Lammon's shoulder and swung him around. Mr Lammon's arms "flew clean out".
Mr Campbell then heard Mrs Kelly shouting: "I'm stabbed, I'm stabbed." There was then an exchange between Mr Lammon and Mr Doogue, the witness said. He saw Mr Doogue give Mr Lammon "two boxes" and then Mr Lammon gave "six to seven" of the "fastest strokes I've ever seen". He thought Mr Lammon was punching Mr Doogue. Then Mr Lammon ran away.
The witness was giving evidence on the fourth day of the trial of Mr Lammon (58), of Dooley's Terrace, Athy, Co Kildare, who has denied the murder of Mr Doogue (57), a single man from Kilcrow, Athy, in the Co Kildare town on May 24th, 1995.
The defendant has also denied unlawfully wounding Mrs Kelly (52), a separated mother of five from Greenhills, Athy, on the same date with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Evidence in the trial concluded yesterday after the defence had called Mr Campbell to testify. Mrs Justice McGuinness said the jury would hear closing speeches from the defence and prosecution and her charge on Monday before retiring to consider their verdict.
The State has contended Mr Lammon set out in "a planned way and stabbed Mr Doogue and Ms Kelly.
Mr Gregory Murphy SC, prosecuting, said it was the State's case that Mr Lammon believed Mr Doogue and Mrs Kelly were having an affair. Mrs Kelly has denied this.
Opening the defence case yesterday, Mr Barry White SC called Mr Patrick Campbell to the witness stand.
Mr Campbell said he lived at the Greenhills estate in Athy in May 1995. He saw Mr Doogue's car parked in the estate several times and once saw Mrs Kelly and Mr Doogue inside embracing.
He knew Mr Lammon. The defendant would cause disturbances in the estate "many a night". Mrs Kelly and Mr Doogue were again in Mr Doogue's car after midnight on May 24th, 1995, and were embracing.
He saw Mr Lammon staggering up the alleyway a bit later. Mr Campbell said the couple were embracing as Mr Lammon approached.
Mr Lammon was shouting at Mrs Kelly. Mrs Kelly opened the door and said: "Lammon, you bastard you, I'll do life for you." Mr Lammon walked to the driver's door and Mrs Kelly followed.
The witness said Mrs Kelly ran towards a gate with Mr Lammon in pursuit.
Mrs Kelly turned and Mr Lammon followed. He caught up with her and both were "hurling abuse" at each other.
He said Mrs Kelly started shouting: "He'll kill me, he'll kill me. Mick, save me. Mick, come out and help me." Mr Campbell said Mr Doogue ran over. He came behind Mr Lammon and pulled him around. Mr Lammon's arms "flew clean out".
The witness said then he heard Mrs Kelly shouting: "I'm stabbed, I'm stabbed." He said the only arm movement he saw was when Mr Doogue grabbed Mr Lammon by the shoulder.
Mr Campbell said the fist fight between the men was over in 30 seconds and he thought Mr Lammon was inflicting punches. He thought it was just a fight but later somebody said: "He stabbed him."
Cross examined by Mr Murphy, the witness said the only blows he saw Mr Lammon inflict on Mr Doogue were to the deceased man's body. He saw Mr Doogue hit the defendant's face twice and was surprised the defendant had no marks.