Man denies threatening to kill former flatmate
The man charged with threatening to kill his Mayo-native former flatmate unless he withdrew a statement he made to gardaí has denied the allegation in evidence at his trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Tim Cawley (aged 24), a native of Cavan with an address at North Circular Road, Phibsboro has pleaded not guilty to seven charges of intimidating Mr Michael Irwin and of threatening to kill or cause him serious harm on dates in January 2005.
Mr Irwin, from Bellmullet reported to gardaí that he saw Mr Cawley stab another person during a fight following the 2004 All-Ireland Football Final between Mayo and Kerry.
Mr Cawley who was acquitted by a jury on this charge, told defence counsel, Mr Eoin Hardiman SC, that he sent messages to Mr Irwin because he wanted him to withdraw what was a false allegation to gardaí about the stabbing which he said was perpetrated instead by Mr Irwin.
"Others along with me seen him do it and I wanted to tell him that," he said. "I wanted also to tell him that I wouldn't cover up for him anymore about it."
Mr Cawley said Mr Irwin "kept hanging up on me and avoiding me" and he called to his flat where he told him he would inform his family about the stabbing matter. "He was very worried that I would tell his family he did it," the accused said.
Mr Cawley said he was also annoyed at Mr Irwin "for ripping me off" by taking money from his account and wanted him to refund it but he denied making the threats alleged by Mr Irwin.
The accused agreed with prosecuting counsel, Ms Fiona Murphy BL, in cross-examination, that the bank had reimbursed the money in question to him and that what he was trying to do was "to get it paid back on the double because of the trouble he caused me".
Mr Cawley repeated that he never threatened Mr Irwin with being harmed. Pressed by Ms Murphy about his contact with Mr Irwin, the accused said: "I didn't threaten him the way he said I did. I told him I was going to tell his family about the stabbing and he was very worried about that."
The trial before Judge Anthony Hunt continues and a jury of five men and seven women.
