Courts / Kildare / Report

Cobwebs and dust found on baseball bat, murder trial hears

Summary

During the murder trial of Zoltan Almasi, a 49‑year‑old Serbian truck driver, the jury heard that cobwebs and dust were found on the baseball bat used to kill 20‑year‑old Joseph Dunne on 16 May 2014. Almasi, who pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, claimed he had not realised he had struck Dunne until he saw an ambulance and Garda car. He said the bat had been left in the house he rented, and that he had not lifted it in the three years he lived there. The defence's barrister, Barra McGrory QC, questioned Almasi about the bat's condition, and Almasi answered that he had not used it before. The trial also considered forensic evidence about sounds from Basin Street and CCTV timings, but the defence has closed its case and the judge will explain the defence of provocation tomorrow. The trial continues before a jury of seven men and four women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cobwebs and dust found on baseball bat, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Kildare man Joseph Dunne, but guilty to his manslaughter at Harbour View on May 16 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• May 16 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2021-06-21 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report