The trial of a Garda for assaulting a man in Dublin four years ago has heard the victim had 11 so called ‘tram line’ bruises to his body when a post mortem was carried out by the State Pathologist.
33-year-old Gda Brendan Whitty, from Kevin Street Garda Station, has pleaded not guilty to assault causing harm to Mr Keith Murphy on Thomas Street, Dublin 2, on 20 September, 2007.
Keith Murphy died from a drug overdose hours after he was released from Garda custody.
Earlier that day he had been hit with a baton by Gda Whitty while he was being arrested for a public order offence.
State Pathologist Marie Cassidy told the trial bruises found on his body were consistent with having been struck a number of times with mild to moderate force.
She confirmed that death was caused by a drug and alcohol overdose and was not due to any trauma to the body. She said the bruising would have been painful and extended into the fat and muscle on the body.
However on cross examination she agreed they were not ‘significant’ bruises.
Gda Matthew McKenzie Smyth gave evidence about arresting Keith Murphy a number of days earlier and said he was abusive and threatening.
He said he called for assistance which arrived ‘within a minute’ and was helped by other gardaí to arrest Mr Murphy.
He said during his arrest Mr Murphy threatened to ‘slice them up’ with a blade.
