This article is from page 16 of the 2008-04-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
A FIGHT between two brothers end- ed in one fatally stabbing the other, a jury at the Central Criminal Court has heard.
Patrick McDonagh (27) of Bridge Court, Roslevan, Ennis, denied mur- dering his brother Charlie (30), at Bridge Court, on January 28, 2007. He also denied the alternative charge of manslaughter and a further charge of producing a knife in the course of a fight.
In his opening speech, prosecuting counsel Tom McConnell SC told the jury of seven women and five men that, after an evening of drinking, a row between the brothers developed into a “serious, almost gladiatorial fight” that led to a “fratricidal kill- Thea
After a fight involving a knife and a hatchet, Charlie McDonagh received 12 stab wounds including the fatal wound to his stomach.
Anthony Ward said he had been staying with Charlie McDonagh
while his sister, Charlie’s wife, vis- ited her mother in Galway.
They started drinking cans of Guin- ness and Red Bull at around 8.30pm. After about three cans they opened a bottle of vodka.
Mr Ward said that Charlie rang the accused to bring over a bottle of coke for a mixer.
They later went to Patrick’s house, Where they continued drinking. Patrick’s wife Donna joined them. Some time later that night, a row developed between the brothers, in
Patrick’s house.
Mr Ward said that Charlie McDon- agh had a volatile temper and had once bitten his ear. He said Charlie left to move his van and he went back to Charlie’s house and locked Watomelereye
A few minutes later Patrick arrived and started banging on the front door and shouting. Mr Ward said he was “frightened, terrified’, so when Patrick disappeared round the side of the building, he ran across the road to arelation’s house.
Patrick meanwhile started breaking the windows of Charlie’s house. The gardai and an ambulance were called and Patrick was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries.
Some time later Charlie returned and saw the damage to his house. He attacked Patrick’s car, which was parked on the street outside his Olen en
Mr Ward said a neighbour, Ms Cara Moylan, came out and brought them into her house for a cup of tea and a glass of wine.