"Fear is at the heart of this case", defence tells prison murder trial jury

A jury at the Central Criminal Court heard closing arguments in the trial of a man charged with murder at Cork Prison. Brian Veale, 31, of Dominic Street, Cork, denies murdering fellow inmate Graham Johnson on 16 May 2015 at the prison on Rathmore Road. Defence counsel Tom Creed SC argued that fear is central to the case and urged the jury to consider a manslaughter verdict rather than murder, drawing comparison to the 2005 trial of Mayo farmer Padraig Nally. He submitted the prosecution had failed to rule out self-defence. Prosecutor Tim O'Leary SC countered that self-defence was "conjured up" and presented eyewitness evidence of the stabbing. He emphasised that Mr Johnson died from a single chest wound that penetrated his heart and spine. Detective evidence disclosed that Mr Veale declined to comment when questioned about a blood-stained knife and bloodstains on his clothing and shoes. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy began her charge to the twelve-person jury, which will conclude tomorrow morning.