'I chased knife killer'
Thursday November 26 2009
A witness at the trial of a Dublin man accused of murder saw a knifed man pull off his balaclava and tell another man "you're dead'' before fatally stabbing him, the Central Criminal Court has heard.
Brian Rattigan (28), of Cooley Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Declan Gavin (21), of Mourne Rd, Drimnagh, at Crumlin Road, Crumlin on August 25, 2001. It is the prosecution's case that Rattigan got out of a Nissan Micra outside Abrakebabra outlet at the Crumlin shopping centre before he "made for Declan Gavin'' with a knife.
Mark Skerrit said he was outside Abrakebabra at Crumlin shopping centre on the night.
He saw a number of young "fellas" with golf clubs outside the food outlet, some of whom he recognised. A Nissan Micra arrived. Mr Skerrit said: "I saw a fella pulling a balaclava down on him and he had a big knife in his left hand."
The knifeman ran towards Declan Gavin and stabbed him in the chest, he said: "When he ran up to Deco Gavin he pulled up his balaclava and said 'Do you remember me?' and then said 'You're dead' and then stabbed him in the chest." Mr Skerrit said he chased the attacker and hit him with a golf club. The trial continues.
hnews@herald.ie
- Selina Colgan
