A garda sergeant died trying to save the life of a man now accused of his murder, the Central Criminal Court heard yesterday.
Sgt Andrew Callanan was burned to death in an arson attack on Tallaght Garda station, Dublin, on 21st July, 1999.
Garda Val O'Flynn described how he tried to help his colleague but was forced back by a sudden burst of flames during the early hours of July 21st. Mr Daniel O'Toole, had arrived at the station with two cannisters of petrol and two flares that he then set alight. He gave the garda∅ "two minutes to evacuate the building".
Garda O'Flynn told the court that Sgt Callanan rushed to get a fire extinguisher to douse the flames near where Mr O'Toole had been standing. The witness was turning towards the sergeant when a sudden explosion threw him back across the corridor.
Mr George Birmingham, defending, said it appeared Sgt Callanan lost his life while trying to save Mr O'Toole.
"Possibly," Garda O'Flynn said.
Mr O'Toole (38), of Cashel Avenue, Crumlin, denied that he murdered Sgt Andrew Callanan, contrary to Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990 (formerly capital murder).
The penalty for the murder of a serving garda carries an automatic 40-year sentence.
A simple charge of murder was also put to the accused, as an alternative. He pleaded not guilty to both counts of murder but guilty to manslaughter, a plea the State refused to accept.
Garda John Malone told the court he was on duty in the public office when the accused pulled up in a car with music blaring. He came into the office carrying a sword, the cannisters of petrol and two flares, which he held shoulder high.
Garda Malone ran towards the back office and told Sgt Callanan that a man was setting fire to the station. He saw the flames and felt a rush of intense heat and he was blown against a set of doors.
He escaped through the rear of the building and saw the accused speeding off in a Ford Sierra. He re-entered the building and asked Garda O'Flynn, "where's Andy?" He saw two legs on the floor. "I tried to grab the legs, but unfortunately he was stuck to the floor." Sgt Callanan's hair was completely singed and his clothes were burnt.
"A collar and shirt were the only things left on him," he told the jury.
The jury is down to 11 members after one male juror was discharged as he was going on holidays.
The trial continues today.