The family of a man who died after suffering injuries outside a nightclub are “devastated” as the man accused of killing him walked free.
Christopher Fitzgerald, 34, lost his fight for life after an incident outside The Wright Venue in Swords, Co Dublin, in the early hours of May 7, 2017.
Daniel Fitzgerald, from Blanchardstown in Dublin, was charged with the unlawful killing of the dad of one, from Drogheda, Co Louth.
But after a four-day trial he was acquitted yesterday at the Criminal Courts of Justice.
Christopher’s sister Bernie Fitzgerald said: “We’re devastated, we can’t believe he’s just walked from court today.”
Man gets clatter across head with shovel in shocking fight in Ballymun, north Dublin
Ms Fitzgerald said CCTV footage played during the four-day trial showed the accused was clearly facing Christopher and could see two bouncers were approaching.
She added: “All he had to do was step back and put his arm out. He didn’t have to hit that final blow, which he did.
“And Judge [Martin] Nolan decided even after watching that CCTV twice the jury wouldn’t be able to make a decision [beyond] reasonable doubt it wasn’t self-defence, which is absolutely ludicrous.
“Christopher was knocked to the ground three times and he didn’t even throw a punch.”
