A murder trial jury has viewed taped Garda interviews of a suspect, the first time such electronically-recorded interviews have been produced in an Irish court.
Mr John Reilly, a former Army Ranger and former UN sanctions inspector in Iraq, is on trial for the murder of an 18-month-old infant.
Mr Reilly (32), of Crooksling, Brittas, Co Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Oisín Reilly-Murphy, of Manor Kilbride, Co Wicklow, on June 5th, 2000, at Kiltalown Road, Jobstown, Tallaght, Co Dublin.
The baby bled to death from severe multiple stab wounds to the neck, inflicted with considerable violence, the Central Criminal Court was told yesterday. The jury heard Mr Reilly say on tape: "I did not kill Oisín . . . I loved the child."
Mr Reilly was being interviewed at Tallaght Garda station shortly after the killing.
He told gardaí that he had been drinking poitín and other alcohol the night before and could not remember what happened. The court heard that Mr Reilly had a blood alcohol level of 204mg.
"I don't remember going to bed, I don't remember being called or woken up . I did not kill Oisín," he said.
Asked what he believed happened to the infant, he replied: "I don't know."
It was put to Mr Reilly that he was "not sure" what happened. "Not that I'm not sure, I don't know . . . I'd give anything for Oisín to be alive and, if I done it, I'd tell you I done it," he replied.
Asked about his Army training and if he had "ever used a knife before to kill anything", he replied: "No."
He told gardaí he never used a knife on anyone, on any part of the body, centre, middle or bottom.
"Or neck?
"Or neck," he replied.
The trial continues today.