Cork murder victim was stabbed 13 times
A Cork city murder victim was stabbed four times in the head and six times in the neck with a knife and scissors and was heard to call out for his mother before he died from his multiple wounds.
That was part of the evidence presented today by assistant State pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster, to the murder trial taking place at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
She testified that there was evidence of considerable force being used during the stabbing and that one of the 13 wounds was to the victim’s right hand, consistent with an attempt to defend himself.
In very detailed results of the autopsy that Dr Bolster carried out on the late Patrick Walsh, 28, who was killed in his bedroom at 62 Fair Hill Drive, Cork, in May last year, it was found that the dead man's stab wounds included the stabbing of his right temple that penetrated the skull and went
four centimetres into the brain, reaching the brain’s internal capsule.
A stab wound to the neck penetrated one of the main arteries.
Apart from the stabs to the head, neck and hand, there was one stab wound found in the back and another to the front near the right armpit.
Two pillows on his bed where he was found dead at around 5am on May 27 2004 were soaked with a large quantity of blood, according to Dr Bolster.
Frank Cunningham, 20, from 71 Bridevalley View, Fairhill, Cork, has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering Patrick Walsh at the deceased’s home at 62 Fair Hill Drive, Cork, and robbery of cash from the late Mr Walsh.
Dr Bolster concluded that the deceased was at a lower level at the time he was being stabbed, consistent with him being in bed at the time.
She also concluded that at least two weapons were used, a knife with serrated edge and a pair of scissors.
Dr Bolster reported: "This young man was heard calling out to his mother. The body was found shortly afterwards."
She concluded: "Quite a significant amount of force was used. The cause of death was haemorrhage and shock due to multiple stab wounds."
