A man accused of the murder of a father of four walked out of a pub and shouted “I killed him, I killed him,” the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork has heard.
Michael Dineen, 28, is on trial charged with the murder of 36-year-old Patrick O’Donnell at a pub in Mitchelstown, Co Cork on June 1, 2018.
It is alleged that Mr Dineen repeatedly punched Mr O'Donnell on the night of his death.
The trial today heard that Mr Dineen, who is from Mitchelstown, banged on the counter of the pub following the alleged assault demanding a pint of water so that he could “wake up Paddy”.
Jurors heard that it took an ambulance over 45 minutes to arrive at the scene that night once a pub employee raised the alarm.
The ambulance had to travel from Mitchelstown to Tipperary to transport O’Donnell to hospital.
When he was arraigned on Monday Mr Dineen pleaded not guilty to the murder of Patrick O'Donnell at Willie Andie's Pub on New Square, Mitchelstown on June 1, 2018. However, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Former Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy indicated that the case of death was inhalation of blood and teeth relating to blunt force trauma to the head.
She said that his death occurred as a direct result of trauma.
The presence of tranquillisers and alcohol in the system was a contributory cause of death.
Seven of Mr O'Donnell's teeth were dislodged in the incident and he also had several loose teeth.
In evidence witness Chloe Dingivan-O'Connell told how she had gone to the assistance of Mr O'Donnell.
She had found pub worker Teresa Walsh standing outside the premises looking "terrified” following the assault.
Ms Dingivan-O’Connell said that Mr Dineenthen came out of the pub.
"He said: 'I killed him, I killed him.' He came towards me but Iveered off and went into the pub."
She said that Mr O'Donnell was lying on his back on the pub floor. He was in a bloodied state.
"He was all bashed up - (it was) really bad."
"He looked dead, gone."
CPR was commenced on Mr O’Donnell. She said that he attempted to breathe.
"There were air bubbles of blood coming out of his nose," she said.
The trial previously heard that Mr Dineen walked out of the pub, took his shirt off and proclaimed himself 'The King of Mitchelstown'.
The case, which is being presided over by Mr Justice Alexander Owens, continues. It is expected to conclude early next week.
