A sailor on the Naval Service flagship, LE Eithne, was assaulted and caused to fall from the side of the ship into the River Liffey where he drowned, a murder trial jury heard yesterday.
The ship's mechanic, Mr Sean Lundon (21), James Connolly Park, Tipperary town, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of fellow crewman, Able Seaman Brian Gorey (21), Devon Close, Castletroy View, Limerick, at Sir John Rogerson's Quay, Dublin, on April 22nd, 2001.
On the opening day of the trial at the Central Criminal Court, Mr Tom O'Connell SC, prosecuting, told the jury it was the State's case that Mr Lundon assaulted Able Seaman Gorey in the ship's recreation room in the early hours of the morning. He then took or carried him down a corridor to the ship's starboard side where he allegedly "precipitated him" over the side of the ship.
He told jurors they would hear witness evidence that Able Seaman Gorey was alive when he went overboard as he was seen struggling in the water.
The court heard that the LE Eithne was docked at Sir John Rogerson's Quay from the Friday before the incident. The following night, April 21st, Mr Lundon and Able Seaman Gorey left the ship and went drinking. Mr Lundon went to Busker's nightclub where he drank eight to 10 pints before returning to the ship at around 3.30 a.m. The court heard that Able Seaman Gorey went to a pub, returning to the LE Eithne at about midnight. Mr O'Connell told the jury that several witnesses saw Able Seaman Gorey asleep on a couch in the recreation room. There was "a bit of a party going on".
It would hear evidence from the last person to leave the room, at about 5 a.m., that the only two people left there were Mr Lundon and Able Seaman Gorey, who was still lying on the couch.
Some 20 minutes later, another crewman heard a shout - "man overboard". He went to the side of the ship and saw Able Seaman Gorey in the water. The evidence would suggest he was still alive as he was struggling, Mr O'Connell said. The crewmen threw a buoy but he was carried out to sea by the tide.
The jury would hear forensic evidence that the accused suffered injuries to his face, head and trunk. Mr O'Connell added that a broken ashtray and the broken shaft of a broom recovered from the ship were items "of some significance".
Gardaí also found a trail of blood stains from the recreation room "leading to the side of the ship where one can infer Able Seaman Gorey was caused to fall into the sea", Mr O'Connell said. The jury also heard that blood stains - later found to belong to him - were discovered on clothing worn by Mr Lundon that night.
The trial, before Mr Justice Carney, continues today.