The jury in the trial of a brother and sister accused of murdering a 63-year-old man has heard that the deceased died as a result of asphyxia at his home in January 2014.
Kenneth Cummins, 28, and Sabrina Cummins, 37, with an address at Ringsend Park, Dublin 4, have both pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Horan, 63, at Cambridge Court, Ringsend, on 6 January last year.
State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy told the Central Criminal Court that there were signs of asphyxia when she first examined Mr Horan.
"I found minor bruises and abrasions on the face, neck, upper trunk, arms and legs," she said.
"I noted above the right eyebrow there was a superficial abrasion. On the right side of the forehead there were three parallel linear scratches running down which would appear to be possible fingernail scratches," she said.
"This man was found dead within his home. Externally, he had relatively minor bruises and abrasions. However, internally there was more intensive injuries," she said.
"He had a fractured cheekbone and 14 fractured ribs. The pattern of trauma would indicate an assault involving blows to the head and chest as well as strangulation," she said.
"Such injuries could cause a period of concussion. Asphyxia signs were consistent with hypoxia," she said.
The two possibilities were neck compression or strangulation or chest trauma," she said.
"The principal cause of death was asphyxia," she said.
The trial continues tomorrow before Mr Justice Tony Hunt and a jury of seven women and five men.
