A YOUNG man died from blows to the head, a murder trial was told by the State Pathologist yesterday. The man died from a subarachnoid haemorrhage as a result of an injury to an artery caused, in his opinion, by one or more blows to the right side of the neck and head, the Central Criminal Court heard.
Dr John Harbison was giving evidence yesterday on the fourth day of the trial of Mr Patrick Carry (18), of Headfort Grove Kells, Co Meath, who has denied the murder of Mr Tony Kenny at Carrickatober, Crosskeys, Co Cavan, on March 6th, 1994.
Mr Carry has admitted the manslaughter of Mr Kenny (17) of Tromra Road, Granard, Co Longford. The plea was not accepted by the State.
Dr Harbison told Mr Dennis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, he had carried out a post mortem examination on Mr Kenny's body on March 6th, 1994. The cause of death was a subarachnoid haemorrhage.
A light form of footwear, he believed, was the likely source of the injury.
Mr Kenny's blood alcohol limit, said Dr Harbison, was more than twice the legal drink driving limit. This might have made him more prone to injury of this type.
It would be quite atypical for subarachnoid haemorrhage to occur from falling, Dr Harbison said.
The trial is continuing before Mr Justice Budd and a jury.