Man, 70, ‘must be acquitted’
A PENSIONER accused of murdering his partner must be acquitted if he acted in selfdefence after suffering years of violence and abuse, his barrister told a court yesterday.
Caroline Biggs SC gave her closing speech at the Central Criminal Court in the trial of Desmond ‘Des’ Duffy, 70, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Desmond ‘Dessie’ Sullivan, 59, at their home in Somerville Park, Rathmines, Dublin 6, on May 23, 2016.
Detailing more than 30 years of abuse and violence at Mr Sullivan’s hands, she described Mr Duffy as a gentleman who had never once raised a hand to anyone before that night when he was verbally abused and repeatedly punched by Mr Sullivan.
The prosecution said Mr Duffy applied enough pressure to Mr Sullivan’s neck to snap the cartilage above the Adam’s apple, and held it for some seconds.
Mr Sullivan had a heart problem, was drunk and had taken Diazepam, making him vulnerable to arrhythmia of the heart which hastened his death, according to pathologists.
A witness who knew both men said the deceased once ordered Mr Duffy to get on his hands and knees to pick up dog food, and another said that Mr Sullivan danced at the crematorium where mourners had gathered for the funeral of Mr Duffy’s brother.
The years of abuse, counsel said, was ‘critical’ to what happened that night because the jury must consider Mr Duffy’s state of mind at that moment, having suffered physical attacks and emotional humiliation over many years.
On the night of the attack, Ms Biggs said the accused tried to leave but Mr Sullivan had taken his credit card and jacket and attacked him in their kitchen.
The trial continues.