skip to main content

Text message evidence in murder trial

Pavel Kalite & Marius Szwajkos - Died in February 2008
Pavel Kalite & Marius Szwajkos - Died in February 2008

The trial of two men accused of murdering two Polish mechanics in Drimnagh in 2008 has heard evidence of text messages sent between the two accused and a teenage girl.

David Curran, 19, from Lissadel Green in Drimnagh has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter.

His co-accused, 21-year-old Sean Keogh from Vincent Street West in Inchicore, has pleaded not guilty to the double murder.

Pavel Kalite and Marius Szwajkos were stabbed to death outside their home on Benbulben Road in Drimnagh on 23 February 2008.

The trial has been under way for over a week.

A teenage girl, who cannot be named, gave evidence to the court via video link today.

She answered questions about a series of text messages that were sent between her and the two accused on the night of the stabbings.

Just after 10pm, the witness sent a text message to David Curran saying 'Ha, ha like I can't believe it, mad night'.

He replied 'f*** it, delete message. Get a new number tomorrow.'

When she asked why, David Curran replied 'if they ask for your phone'.

Later that same night she received a text from Sean Keogh which said 'that's on the tele, we're f***ed'.

She replied 'I know' to which Sean Keogh replied 'I had to help my mate, burnt my runners and all'.

The Court also heard evidence of a text that was saved as a draft on the witness' phone, which she never sent, but has admitted was intended for David Curran.

It said 'do you know what I was thinking, you could say that me and you were ... babysitting because me and you are the only people who don't have an alibi'.

The trial resumes on Monday.