Jury begin deliberating in Mayo murder trial

A jury at the Central Criminal Court has begun deliberations in the case of a man charged with murdering a 24-year-old from County Mayo. Matusz Batiuk, formerly of Carrabeg Estate in Swinford, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael McDonagh, who died from a single stab wound on November 16, 2020. Justice Mary Ellen Ring outlined five possible verdicts available to the jury, ranging from murder to manslaughter verdicts on grounds of self-defence, excessive force, lack of intent to kill, or diminished responsibility. The accused has maintained he acted in self-defence, telling gardaí at the scene that he stabbed Mr McDonagh because he believed his life was in danger. Evidence heard during the trial included testimony from a pathologist regarding the fatal wound and psychiatric assessments of the accused. The judge reminded the jury of conflicting accounts given by a witness present at the property. The jury, comprising nine men and three women, will continue their deliberations on the following day.