Courts / Dublin / Report

Former rugby captain was lying on bedroom floor when paramedics arrived, murder trial hears

Date
2015-10-07

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

During the murder trial of Gary Walsh, a 32‑year‑old Dublin man, the jury heard that the victim, former rugby club captain Cathal Sweeney, was found lying on the bedroom floor of a Terenure flat on 8 February 2014. Paramedic Coleman Gilligan testified that he was called at 17.32 by the Dublin Fire Brigade to attend a male in cardiac arrest. He entered the flat, saw an intoxicated man pointing toward an open bedroom door, and a second man in his early thirties—identified as Walsh—squatting in the doorway. Walsh repeatedly shouted, "Help him, help him," as Sweeney lay on the floor with blood on the bedclothes and walls. Gilligan began resuscitation, then moved Sweeney to St James's Hospital on a spinal board. The trial continues. Gary Walsh pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former rugby captain was lying on bedroom floor when paramedics arrived, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Cathal Sweeney at a house in Terenure on February 8, 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, but this plea was not accepted by the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 8, 2014 Incident
2015-10-07 Publication

Why: "I made a decision to move the patient from the scene to St James's Hospital and because of the nature of his injuries he was removed on a spinal board," the paramedic told the court. CNI source report

Case subjects

Gary Walsh

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Cathal Sweeney at a house in Terenure on February 8, 2014; the manslaughter of Mr Sweeney at the Central Criminal Court yesterday, but this plea was not accepted by the State (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty