A Kilkenny man went on trial yesterday for the murder of another Kilkenny man in the city two years ago.
Mr James O'Keefe (22), Knockbrack, Kilree, Stoneyford, Co Kilkenny, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Simon Hoyne (30), Reimeen, Tullarone, Kilkenny, on June 3rd, 2001, at John's Bridge, Kilkenny.
Opening for the prosecution at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Patrick McCarthy SC told the jury that Mr Hoyne was beaten and kicked to death under a bridge at John's Green on his way home.
Mr McCarthy said the jury would hear that on the day of the murder, Mr Hoyne had worked until 7 p.m. and then went into the city for a few drinks with friends and went on to a disco.
Gardaí who arrived at the scene towards the end of the attack would give evidence. "They never lost sight of James O'Keefe from the last kick he gave Simon Hoyne," Mr McCarthy said.
The court heard that Mr Hoyne sustained fractures to the throat and died from "blunt force trauma" caused by a "ferocious" beating and kicking to the head.
It is the State's case that Mr O'Keefe murdered Mr Hoyne and that there was no element of provocation or self-defence involved.
Garda Tom Owens, Kilkenny, said he was in a patrol car and saw Mr Hoyne get two kicks to the head. When the Mr O'Keefe spotted the gardaí, he "looked at us and delivered a final kick to the head and then he ran".
The trial continues today.