Courts / Kildare / Report
Murder trial witness denies evidence of second blow 'completely made up'
Summary
During the Central Criminal Court hearing of Zoltan Almasi, a 49‑year‑old Serbian‑born man charged with the murder of Joseph 'Jo Jo' Dunne, witness Alannah Piercy testified that she saw a man strike Dunne twice with a baseball bat. Piercy described the first blow to the back‑left of Dunne's head and a second strike to the same spot while Dunne was prone. She claimed the bat was black with a blue top and that she could not identify the attacker. The defense counsel, Mr Barra McGrory QC, challenged Piercy's account, arguing that her statement to Gardaí on 18 May 2014 mentioned only one strike and that she had altered her testimony. Piercy maintained that her evidence was truthful, denying the allegation that the second blow was fabricated. The court took a brief recess before proceeding with the cross‑examination. The trial, which includes a jury of eleven, is scheduled to continue for four weeks. Zoltan Almasi pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder trial witness denies evidence of second blow 'completely made up'. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Dunne but guilty to his manslaughter on the night of May 16, 2014, at Harbour View, Naas. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 16, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 18, 2014 Other
- May 2016 Other
- 2021-06-02 Publication
Why: Counsel put it to Ms Piercy that she "added" a second strike and suggested to the witness that the reason for this was to have the same account as other witnesses she was friendly with. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: the murder of Mr Dunne but guilty to his manslaughter on the night of May 16, 2014, at Harbour View, Naas (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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