Man died from respiratory distress, court hears
A 29-year-old man died from respiratory distress caused by head injuries he received from a "mild punch", Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard on the second day of a manslaughter trial.
Ronan Byrne, aged 24, from South Quay, Arklow, has pleaded not guilty to unlawfully killing 29-year-old Mr John Sherwood on September 15, 2000.
He also denies assaulting him causing him harm on September 9, 2000 at Lawless’ Hotel in Aughrim.
Ms Mary Rose Gearty BL, prosecuting, read out to jury the conclusion of State Pathologist, Doctor Marie Cassidy’s report after she examined Mr Sherwood’s body.
Dr Cassidy’s reported that the injuries inflicted on the deceased led to a comatose state which caused a chest infection leading to death.
His injuries were caused by one punch and a subsequent fall to the ground. He died from respiratory distress caused by head injuries.
The jury previously heard that Mr Byrne punched Mr Sherwood once in the face in the car park of Lawless’ Hotel in Aughrim after they both attended the wedding of the accused’s sister.
Mr Sherwood was the boyfriend of another sister of the accused, Ms Catherine Byrne, and the couple had had an argument before the deceased left the hotel to walk to Arklow.
His girlfriend had asked the accused to go after him when an altercation occurred in the car park. Mr Sherwood died in Beaumont Hospital six days later.
Pat Kinsella, a part-time musician whose band performed at the wedding, told Ms Gearty he came out of the hotel at about 1.30am and saw Mr Sherwood lying on the ground.
He spoke to the accused who told him that he punched the victim once to the left side of the face.
Mr Kinsella said he saw blood trickling from Mr Sherwood’s lip, his right eye was swollen and he also had a cut on his neck..
He asked him if he was okay and he mumbled that he was.
Jim Kelly, a bus driver, said he arrived at the hotel to pick up a group from the wedding party and when he was in the car park saw Mr Sherwood and his girlfriend, Ms Byrne, walking past his bus.
He said the couple appeared to be having an argument.
Mr Kelly said he went inside the hotel and came out after about 10 minutes and saw Mr Sherwood having an argument with another man.
He walked to his bus but then heard a loud bang and turned around. When he looked back he saw Mr Sherwood lying on the ground and the other man was holding his fist.
He said it was his impression that everyone involved had quite a bit of drink taken.
Mr Kelly told Kevin Staunton BL (with Roger Sweetman SC), in cross-examination, that he thought Mr Sherwood and Ms Byrne were having a "heavy" argument.
When he saw Mr Sherwood having the argument with the other man they were standing quite close to each other.
He added that he heard a thud and when he turned around Mr Sherwood was lying on the ground.
He didn’t see anything after that because he went back inside the hotel.
Evidence in the case has finished and the jury of eight women and four men will hear closing speeches from both prosecution and defence counsel on Monday morning.
The trial continues before Judge Frank O’Donnell.
