Witness denies seeing deceased 'beating the s**t out' of murder accused

A witness has denied observing the deceased wielding a metal pole against the man accused of his murder during an altercation at a Ballina apartment. Declan Forde gave evidence at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Liam O'Leary, aged 33, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of John Casserly, aged 58, at Tone House, Tone Street, Ballina, Co Mayo in the early hours of October 24th, 2024. Under cross-examination, Mr Forde acknowledged seeing the men "scuffling" before he and his mother fled the apartment. The defence suggested the witness had previously described Mr Casserly as intoxicated and attacking Mr O'Leary with a metal pole, but Mr Forde stated those were not his exact words and he had not witnessed any strikes or use of the pole. The prosecution has outlined that gardai discovered Mr Casserly with fatal injuries including 27 stab wounds and severe trauma to his face and body. The trial before Ms Justice Melanie Greally continues.