A MAN has gone on trial in the Central Criminal Court for the murder of his uncle, who was found by gardaí in a pool of blood. A garda described the scene as "horrific".
Garda Thomas O'Connor told Patrick Gageby SC, prosecuting, that he still had trouble believing "how gruesome it was". "I have never seen anything as bad as that in life or in movies," he said.
Henry McLaren (34), Edenmore Drive, Raheny, Dublin denies murdering Thomas Dempsey (61) at Edenmore Drive on February 10th, 2007.
Garda O'Connor said Mr Dempsey was lying face down in the hallway of his home when gardaí forced entry. He had severe head injuries.
Garda O'Connor said it was immediately obvious that Mr Dempsey was dead. There was a portion of his skull missing and his clothing was soaked with blood.
In his opening speech to the jurors, Mr Gageby said the main issue they had to consider was Mr McLaren's mental health at the time of the incident.
Elaine Dillon, a neighbour, said she heard noises coming from Mr Dempsey's house. She knew Mr Dempsey by name and was aware that his nephew stayed with him on and off. When she realised where the noises were coming from she called on a neighbour to ask them to call gardaí.
"I could hear screaming first then I could hear noises that sounded like a whipping noise." More neighbours came out on to the street as the noises continued.
After a while they stopped and the door opened. She saw Mr McLaren come to the door and she asked him where his uncle was. "He just said 'He's in hell. He's in f . . .ing hell. He's burning in hell'."
Garda O'Connor told Mr Gageby that he arrived after Mr McLaren refused to allow ambulance and fire crews into the house.
Garda O'Connor said Mr McLaren was screaming: "Black people, I need black people around me." The garda told Erwin Mill-Arden SC, defending, that Mr McLaren seemed to be looking straight through him and looked "very odd".
Dr Amir Kahlil told Mr Gageby that he was called to Coolock Garda station to treat Mr McLaren.
Mr McLaren told him he suffered from a psychiatric illness and admitted that he had not been taking his medication.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Barry White and the jury.