Man only punched his tragic friend once, court told

A MAN charged with the manslaughter of his life-long friend punched him once in a row over handbrake turns at a Co Down beach, the High Court has heard.

Joseph Dorian (22) claimed he acted in self-defence during a confrontation about Darren O’Neill’s driving.

Mr O’Neill, who was also 22 and from Belfast, died two days after the incident at Tyrella

Beach on June 27 this year.

Dorian, of Lakeview in Crumlin, Co Antrim, is accused of his unlawful killing. During a bail application yesterday, the court heard the pair had gone to the seaside with two girls in a car belonging to the defendant’s family.

Emergency services were called following a report that Mr O’Neill was unconscious at the scene.

According to the prosecution, Dorian alleged he only delivered a single punch after the deceased struck first and then told him to hit back. The girls with them said the two men squared up after Mr O’Neill got into the vehicle and performed handbrake turns around the car park area.

One of them claimed he stumbled and fell to the ground before getting up again quickly.

“This witness said he seemed fine, the two men were talking about their close friendship and hugging, but then Mr O’Neill collapsed and was unresponsive,” a Crown lawyer submitted.

In police interviews, Dorian described how they had gone to the beach with the two girls after Mr O’Neill purchased a case of beer.

Prosecution counsel went on: “He said Mr O’Neill took off in the car and spun around doing handbrake turns.

“The applicant said he was annoyed about this and confronted him about his driving.”

Later, he stated he reacted after being hit first, alleging that he threw one punch to protect himself. “He said this was the first physical altercation between the two in years of friendship.”

Concerns for Dorian’s safety were also raised, with threatening messages naming him said to have been posted on Facebook.

Mr Justice McAlinden was told toxicology tests showed the deceased had taken alcohol and potentially Pregabalin medication, with defence identifying it as an issue for any future trial.

Dorian was granted bail with curfew conditions.