A 35-year-old man has gone on trial accused of murdering John O'Connor in New Ross, Co Wexford, on New Year's Eve 2024.
Wayne Roche, previously of Dominic's Place in Waterford city, has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Mr O'Connor on 31 December 2024.
The trial is taking place before a jury of four men and eight women at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Dean Kelly SC told the court that the accused had been in a relationship with Mr O'Connor's daughter at the time the alleged offence occurred.
Mr Kelly said the case would centre around the events that took place at Mr O'Connor's apartment in the Cluain Fada housing estate in New Ross on 30 and 31 December 2024.
He said that the two men had been socialising at the property on the night of 30 December 2024.
Mr Kelly said it is the prosecution's case that at some point between 30 and 31 December, "not observed by any other person," the accused "violently assaulted" Mr O'Connor.
He said it is the State's case that the level of violence involved in that assault was such that any person using it was, at least, going to cause serious harm.
The court heard that on the morning of 31 December 2024, Mr O'Connor was found covered in blood on the floor of his apartment by his daughter, who called the emergency services.
Mr O'Connor, who was 58 years old, was subsequently pronounced dead at the scene.
The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McGrath and the jury at Waterford Courthouse.
This afternoon, it will hear from garda witnesses in relation to maps drawn and photographs taken of Mr O'Connor's first-floor one-bed apartment, the Cluain Fada housing estate, and the surrounding area.
CCTV from the area at the time is also expected to be played for the jury this afternoon.
Three weeks have been set aside for the trial that is expected to hear from a large number of witnesses.
Several family members of both Mr O'Connor and the accused are present in court for the opening day of the trial.
