The murder trial of Wexford man James “Chuck” Connors began at the Central Criminal Court yesterday. Connors (29), with an address at Rosemount in Drinagh, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 27-year-old Jason Ryan in Hollyville Heights in Wexford Town, on the 26th of January, 2012.
According to the prosecution, Mr Ryan died as a result of stab wounds that he received to his torso.
On the opening day of evidence, Wexford-based Garda Leisha Fahey told the court that they had arrived at the scene and that they had noticed blood on the front door of the apartment. After the victim’s girlfriend had let them into the residence, they saw Mr Ryan, who was lying on the couch with puncture wounds to his upper body.
Mr Ryan, who was ‘extremely pale’, but still conscious at the time, complained about a pain at the top of his legs, despite not having received any wounds to those areas. He was also having difficulties breathing.
The court heard that another garda at the scene had asked Jason Ryan if he wanted to make a “dying declaration” about who had caused the injuries, as the garda in question was concerned that Mr Ryan would not survive. The court was told that Mr Ryan had refused to do so.
The trial continues today.
