Courts / Dublin / Report
Witness tells murder trial he went for hypnosis to try remember assault
Summary
During a murder trial, witness Colm Campbell testified that he had attempted hypnosis to recall the start of a fatal assault on rugby captain Cathal Sweeney. Campbell, an alcoholic, described the evening of 8 February 2014 when he, Gary Walsh, and Sweeney were drinking and watching a rugby match at Walsh's flat. He recalled hearing noise from the bedroom, an argument, and slaps or thumps. He said he saw Walsh punching Sweeney, using elbows, and kicking him in the head. Sweeney was left motionless, unconscious, with a swollen, bruised face and cuts. Campbell claimed he shouted for Walsh to stop, but could not remember how the initial assault began. He has since sought hypnosis to recover any missing details, but remains uncertain of the exact trigger of the violence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Witness tells murder trial he went for hypnosis to try remember assault. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to manslaughter at a flat in Ashdale Gardens, Terenure in Dublin. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- 8th February 2014 Incident
- 2017-04-25 Publication
Why: "I tried to get hypnosis and everything like that to see if I could get any recollection of what happened, what kicked it off, what started it, because I don't remember," he said. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murder but guilty to manslaughter at a flat in Ashdale Gardens, Terenure in Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)
Places mentioned
Topics
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