Newbridge murder trial collapses
Peter Kennedy died on 12 May 2020 after suffering “serious injuries”
The trial of a man charged with the murder of a Newbridge man described as a “kind soul” collapsed on Friday.
An issue over the evidence to be given by witnesses led to the Mr Justice Burns ending the trial.
Brian Ibe, of fixed abode and formerly of Moore Park, Newbridge, Co Kildare, and the Peter McVerry Trust, Dublin 12, had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to the murder of Peter Kennedy in Newbridge between April 28th, 2020, and May 12th, 2020.
Mr Ibe (23) had also pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to a charge of assault causing harm to Garda Brendan O’Donnell at Newbridge Garda station on 29 April 2020.
Mr Justice Burns told the jury that the court had been informed that additional witnesses were to be called by the defence but that the prosecution had not believed those witnesses were to be called as experts.
Only witnesses classified as experts are allowed to give their opinions in evidence, as opposed to regular witnesses, who can only testify to factual matters.
The judge told the jury that the court would not be able to deal with that scenario for "a couple of months".
Mr Justice Burns said that without the jury's "work and willing participation", the criminal justice system would not operate and he excused the seven women and five men from jury service for five years.
The case is listed again before the Central Criminal Court on Wednesday.
The jury had been told at the opening of the trial last week that a “kind” man fatally assaulted in his own home had allowed Mr Ibe and his mother to stay at the address until they found their own accommodation.
Fiona Murphy SC, for the state, told the jury that Mr Kennedy was a “kind soul, who loved helping people out” and who had worked in the Probation Service.
Ms Murphy said it would be the prosecution’s case that 18 months before Mr Kennedy's death, Mr Ibe’s mother had moved into the house in Newbridge, with the accused joining her later.
Ms Murphy said it is the prosecution’s case that Mr Kennedy became unhappy with the behaviour of the accused, and that in December 2019, gardaí were called to the house by Mr Kennedy over verbal disputes.
Ms Murphy said that although Mr Kennedy allowed Mr Ibe to stay on at the house, the accused left to go to Dublin.
Mr Kennedy allowed Mr Ibe’s mother to come and go from the house because he had heard she had been living in her car for periods, counsel said.
It was the State’s case that on the night of the killing, Mr Ibe took a taxi from Dublin to Newbridge and made his way to the house, smashed a window to gain entry, and attacked Mr Kennedy.
Ms Murphy said Mr Kennedy sustained “serious head injuries” and died on 12 May 2020, at Beaumont Hospital.
Counsel said it was not disputed that the accused caused the death of Mr Kennedy, but that it was for the jury to determine whether Mr Ibe was suffering with a mental illness such that it would allow for the defence of not guilty by reason of insanity.
The trial was expected to last up to two weeks.
