Judge commends takeaway worker who came to dying man's aid

A takeaway worker from Cavan was commended by Justice Tara Burns at the Central Criminal Court for providing first aid to a fatally injured man on New Year's Eve 2018. Alannah Sheridan, who was employed at a takeaway in Ballyjamesduff, was leaving work when she learned of a man in distress on Dublin Street. Drawing on her First Aid training with the Order of Malta, she applied pressure to a chest wound using her scarf while awaiting emergency services. The injured man, Marek Swider, a 40-year-old Polish national, was subsequently taken to Cavan General Hospital but died on New Year's morning. The trial concerns Tomasz Paszkiewicz, aged 39, charged with Mr Swider's murder. Mr Paszkiewicz has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. Acting State Pathologist Dr Linda Mulligan testified that Mr Swider died following two stab wounds to his chest and abdomen. The trial continues before a jury of seven men and five women.