Courts / Kildare / Report
Hungarian murder accused denied hitting Kildare youth with bat, trial hears
Summary
In a trial at the Central Criminal Court, Zoltan Almasi, a 44‑year‑old Hungarian national, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Joseph Dunne, a young Kildare man, at their shared address on 16 May 2014. Almasi told Gardaí that he had brought a baseball bat that night, believing it might be needed for self‑defence against men he considered "not kids" and "bigger" than him. He claimed he was about 2–3 metres from Dunne when the latter fell and denied that he struck him with the bat, saying the distance was too great. When questioned whether he had swung the bat, Almasi said he could not remember doing so and that it "looks like I did but I didn't reach him." He maintained that any contact would have been accidental and that he had no intention to hit anyone. Almasi has three prior convictions for road‑traffic offences. The trial continues.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hungarian murder accused denied hitting Kildare youth with bat, trial hears. Charges or matters: murdering Joseph Dunne at the same address on May 16 2014; murdering Mr Dunne. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 16 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 17 Other
- 2016-03-03 Publication
Why: When gardai put it to the accused that Mr Dunne fell because he had hit him with his baseball bat, Mr Almasi replied: "No. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Joseph Dunne at the same address on May 16 2014; murdering Mr Dunne (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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