Key witness tells trial he broke into murder accused's home and stabbed him

A key witness in a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court gave conflicting evidence regarding events at a house in Swinford, County Mayo, on November 16, 2020. Paul Maughan testified that he did not witness the fatal stabbing of Michael McDonagh (24), despite having previously told gardaí that the accused "went for" the deceased with a knife. Mr Maughan admitted breaking into the home of the accused, Matusz Batiuk (33), and stabbing him three months before Mr McDonagh's death, for which he is currently serving a prison sentence. The witness stated that Mr McDonagh carried a carpet knife that evening. When cross-examined, Mr Maughan acknowledged making inaccurate statements to gardaí, including claims that the accused had attacked him, which he later denied. Mr Batiuk has pleaded not guilty to murder. He maintains he believed his life was in danger when he inflicted the fatal wound. The trial continues before Ms Justice Mary Ellen Ring.