A mother-of-two from Kildare fatally stabbed her alcoholic partner through the heart after he returned home from a day-long drinking session and demanded his dinner, a jury at the Central Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Mrs Helen Vaughan (40), denies murdering her partner, Mr Patrick Galvin (50), at their home at St John's, Eyre Street, Newbridge, Co Kildare, on July 23rd, 2001.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr Michael Counihan SC, told the court that Mrs Vaughan and her two daughters, Marian (7), and Victoria (5), had been living with Mr Galvin for over two years prior to his death. Mr Galvin's alcoholism led to rows at home and to several occasions when he was "put out of the house", the jury was told. It was also revealed in court that Mr Galvin had served time in prison previously for cutting his wife's throat.
On the day of his death, Mr Galvin had been drinking with friends at a local bar since mid-morning. "By the time he got home, at 8.30 p.m., he was fairly drunk. A row ensued and Mr Galvin demanded his dinner. He was not in good form," Mr Counihan said.
"He was giving her abuse and calling her names," he added. Mrs Vaughan had put on some sausages to fry when it appears the row escalated, the court heard.
"Her two daughters came into the kitchen, which sent him into a rage. He spat at Victoria and Mrs Vaughan and became abusive towards her. He was taunting Mrs Vaughan and she was telling him to get out," counsel said.
Mr Galvin asked Mrs Vaughan, "Why don't you give it to me now?" the prosecuting counsel said. "The accused then took a sharp steak-knife and stuck it into his chest, penetrating his heart, causing massive bleeding. Death was fairly swift," he said.
The court heard that Mr Galvin "seemed to slump" and told Mrs Vaughan to get help before falling onto the kitchen floor where he bled to death.
Mrs Vaughan was at first "in a bit of a panic and took a mop and bucket to mop around Patrick Galvin", telling him to "get up" several times, the jury was told.
Mrs Vaughan then went up to the bar Mr Galvin had been drinking in but saw no-one there. She then went to a neighbour's house to raise the alarm, the prosecuting counsel revealed.
Mr Galvin was found dead on the kitchen floor by ambulance technicians at about 9.45 p.m., the court heard.
Witnesses on the first day of the trial included five neighbours who recalled hearing regular rows and "cruel behaviour" between the couple.
Mr Patrick Byrne told the jury that on the night of Mr Galvin's death, he noticed a row going on which was "more unusual than the previous rows".
The trial continues today before Mr Justice Iarflaith O'Neill.