TEENAGE EYEWITNESSES gave varying accounts yesterday of the street fight that led to the fatal stabbing of a 14-year-old boy in Ennis 18 months ago.
At the Central Criminal Court in Ennis, Derek Malone said that John McGovern called 14-year-old Michael Doherty a “knacker” twice and struck him first.
Mr McGovern (19), of Ballyduff, Barefield, denies the murder of Michael Doherty of Ashline, Ennis, at O’Connell Street, Ennis on June 23rd, 2007.
Mr McGovern also denies producing a knife capable of unlawfully intimidating another person during the course of a row at the same place on the same date.
Counsel for McGovern, Patrick Gageby SC, said that it was very unlikely that John McGovern said anything to Michael Doherty as he was with a number of girls and Michael Doherty was one of four boys.
Mr Gageby said: “John McGovern didn’t hit out at Michael Doherty as it would be a very foolish person to hit Michael, because Michael was a very competent boxer.”
A friend of Michael Doherty, Mr Malone said that Mr McGovern called out “knacker” twice as he and Michael and two others were entering Supermacs. Mr Malone said that the remark was aimed at Doherty “as he was the only Traveller fella there”.
Mr Malone said the two started pushing and Mr McGovern hit Michael first. He said Michael then hit Mr McGovern two or three times and he fell to the ground.
Mr Malone said that Derek Matha was then trying to separate the two, but Mr McGovern moved forward and had a knife in his right hand. He said that Michael then fell and Mr McGovern disappeared up the street.
The trial continues today.
