The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering a taxi driver in Cork has been told that he died after being struck in the head up to six times by a blunt instrument.
39-year-old Lloyd Buckley has pleaded not guilty to murdering 62-year-old Michael Healy at Rocksprings Terrace, St Lukes in Cork, but guilty of his manslaughter between 18-22 September 2010.
Prosecuting counsel Tim O'Leary SC told the jury of seven men and five women that the State did not accept Mr Buckley's plea.
Outlining the prosecution case, Mr O'Leary said the jury would hear evidence that Mr Healy was struck with a blunt instrument in the head up to six times, which caused fractures and internal bleeding.
They would also hear that Mr Healy's landlord collected his weekly rent from the bedsit two days before the deceased's body was found by himself and Mr Healy's brother who had been concerned that he had not been in contact.
While Mr Healy was found in the bathroom in an awkward position, there was blood on his bed, and Mr O'Leary said the jury would have to decide where the injuries were inflicted.
The case before Mr Justice Paul Carney at the Central Criminal Court in Cork is expected to last one week.
