Murder victim's blood 'found on brother's clothes'
A trial at the Central Criminal Court has heard that the deceased’s blood was found on the clothing of his older brother, who is charged with the Waterford man’s murder.
The trial of 34-year-old Keith Doyle of Priory Lawn, Ballybeg in Waterford was hearing evidence yesterday from forensic scientists.
Mr Doyle has pleaded not guilty to murdering Gary Doyle (aged 28) on January 1, 2003; the single father-of-one died from stab wounds at Waterford Hospital on New Year’s Morning, 2003.
On the fifth day of the trial, the testimony of Dr Maureen Smith was read out. She carried out DNA profiling on blood found on the accused’s jeans, T-shirt and runners.
The dead man’s blood matched that on the clothing, which the accused wore during a fight with his brother on New Year’s morning. Keith Doyle had changed out of these clothes after the fight.
The jury heard too from the consultant surgeon who operated on Gary Doyle at Waterford Hospital. Dr Joseph O’Connor said there was hemorrhaging from several veins in the patient’s neck.
"Most of the veins were damaged. It took hours to control the bleeding," he said.
Dr O’Connor observed that there had been some movement of the knife in the neck, but could not tell if that resulted from the assailant turning the knife or the victim turning his head and neck.
Dr O’Connor also explained that veins are not easy to handle or suture and that, in addition, the patient had a different veinous structure from most people. He had a large number of veins where most people have just one.
The surgeon testified that there was a high risk of death from wounds in the outer neck, but said it was hard to answer whether the patient might have lived if surgery was begun earlier.
A sworn statement was read out yesterday of a doctor who visited Keith Doyle in the days after his brother’s death.
Dr John Power, who gave evidence in court last week, said the accused was in a "distressed and depressed state" that New Year’s Day when he met him at Waterford Garda Station
"He mentioned he was after killing his brother," recalled Dr Power. "I prescribed Valium," he added.
Dr Power was again called to see the accused the following day, this time to his home. "He was even more upset. I recommended he be admitted to hospital," he said.
A sworn statement was read out from a family friend, who had been drinking with the Doyles on New Year’s Eve, 2002. Mary Boland painted what defence barrister John O’Kelly SC described as a "haunting scene" of the two brothers hours before the fatal row.
"Gary and Keith had their arms around each-other when I left," she said, recalling how, from their barstools, they gave her the thumbs up for a great New Year.
The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Paul Carney and a jury of seven women and five men.
