A Kilkenny man's legs had to be amputated below the knees after he was set on fire by one of his best friends, it was alleged yesterday at an attempted-murder trial.
Mr Paul Barry suffered horrific injuries after Mr Thomas O'Grady allegedly sprinkled burning firelighters on him after a late-night drinks party.
Prosecutors allege Mr Barry had earlier suffered multiple fractures to the head after Mr O'Grady repeatedly beat him with a rock. Mr O'Grady has gone on trial at the Central Criminal Court on charges of trying to kill Mr Barry twice on the same night.
Mr Edward Comyn SC, prosecuting, said the double attack followed an argument between the two men at a drinks party in a field on the outskirts of Kilkenny city. He said Mr Barry was lying in a drunken stupor when both attacks happened.
Mr O'Grady (20), Fatima Place, Kilkenny, has pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of Mr Barry (29) at two separate times on October 10th, 1999, at Pennefatherslot, on Hebron Road, in the north-east of Kilkenny city.
He pleaded not guilty to two counts of causing serious harm to Mr Barry by injuring his head and burning his lower limbs.
Mr Comyn said the attacks resulted in "horrific injuries" to Mr Barry and it was a tragic case for both men. He said in some attempted murder cases, the intended victim suffers no physical harm, but here the victim suffered appalling injuries.
Mr Comyn told the jury they might have great sympathy for Mr Barry's tragic condition but warned them to look objectively at the evidence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Andrias O Caoimh.