THE JURY in the trial of a young woman for murder has heard medical evidence of fatal injuries sustained by the victim when he was crushed by a car.
Claire Nolan (23), of Sheephill Green in Blanchardstown, has denied murdering Michael Duffy (66) in the driveway of his son’s house in Well View Grove, Blanchardstown, in January 2008.
Giving evidence on day three of the trial, State Pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy said Michael Duffy would have died quickly after he sustained a major crush injury to the chest, which caused “massive internal trauma”.
She said the most logical explanation for his injuries was that he was struck by a vehicle while standing in an upright position, and then fell to the ground where his chest was crushed between a car bumper and wall.
Prof Cassidy said his spine had broken, severing his spinal cord and crushing part of his heart; his lungs were punctured by fractured ribs and one of his lungs had been torn free from holding tissues.
Ms Nolan has admitted manslaughter, but the prosecution has refused to accept her plea and is charging that she murdered Mr Duffy by driving her car at him and crushing him to death.
The Central Criminal Court has already heard that the accused was “in a rage” because the deceased’s son, Francis Duffy (42), was seen trying to break into her new Nissan Micra.
She had taken cocaine and sleeping tablets and had also drunk some wine and was described as being “off her head” by a friend and eyewitness who has given evidence.
A row broke out between the accused and Francis Duffy, who rang his father, Michael Duffy, who had been spending the day with friends in Cavan, but drove to his son’s house.
Shortly after he arrived, the accused’s car was seen driving through the gates of Francis Duffy’s house. Mr Duffy snr was struck by the car and pronounced dead a short time later.
Prof Cassidy said Mr Duffy’s injuries were “not survivable” and it was possible he had sustained the full force of the car. She said he would have been rendered unconscious almost immediately, and would have died very swiftly.
Mr Duffy’s relatives became upset as she described his extensive internal injuries. The accused kept her head bowed throughout the evidence.
Under cross-examination, Prof Cassidy said she could not make a comment on the speed the car was travelling at the time, but she said Mr Duffy’s injuries were likely to have been caused by the weight and not the speed of the car.
The trial continues.