Courts / Cork / Report
Deceased threatened to "batter" murder accused, prison trial hears
Summary
During a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, a witness testified that on 16 May 2015, in the kitchen of Cork Prison, an argument over television channels escalated between Brian Veale (31) and Graham Johnson. Johnson, who wanted to watch a horse race, threatened Veale that he would "batter" him and told him to leave. Veale allegedly approached Johnson with a kitchen knife, inserted it into Johnson's chest, causing a 6‑cm stab wound that penetrated the sternum, sliced the heart and aorta, and resulted in fatal haemorrhage. The knife was then thrown onto the counter. State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy confirmed the post‑mortem findings, describing the wound trajectory and the heart's perforation. The case is proceeding before Justice Isobel Kennedy with a jury of twelve, and the trial is expected to last five days. Brian Veale pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Deceased threatened to "batter" murder accused, prison trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Graham Johnson at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road in Cork City on May 16, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 16, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 16 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 17 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-10-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murdering Graham Johnson at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road in Cork City on May 16, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Today Counsel for the State Mr Tim O'Leary SC called Mr Patrick Heaphy, who was serving a sentence in Cork Prison in May 2015, to give evidence.
Accused
Charges: murdering Graham Johnson at Cork Prison, Rathmore Road in Cork City on May 16, 2015 (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
- Cork
- Cork Prison
- Dominic Street
- Cork
- Central Criminal Court
- Rathmore Road
Topics
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