Courts / Kildare / Report

Murder accused tells trial he deserted army as he didn't want to kill

Summary

During his murder trial, Zoltan Almasi, a 49‑year‑old Serbian truck driver, explained that he had chased a 20‑year‑old man away from his van and struck the man's head with a baseball bat. Almasi said he had been defending his vehicle after it was attacked by several people, but he did not intend to cause serious harm. He returned home, showered, and drove to his wife's house as planned. Almasi admitted that he had hit the victim, Joseph Dunne, who died after a single blow shattered his skull. He pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Almasi expressed remorse, stating he did not want anyone to die, and that he had been in prison for seven years and had been seeing a psychologist for three years. The trial is proceeding before Mr Justice Michael White and a jury of seven men and four women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused tells trial he deserted army as he didn't want to kill. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to Mr Dunne's manslaughter at Harbour View on May 16 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 16 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-06-16 Publication

Why: Mr Almasi earlier told his trial that he deserted the army when the war broke out in his native Yugoslavia, because he 'didn't want to take part in killing'. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report