CAROLINE BRENNAN’S father told the Central Criminal Court yesterday that his younger children were “very afraid” of their brother Michael Brennan (22) for some time before he was killed at a party in his uncle’s house in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, in December 2008.
Caroline Brennan, on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford city charged with murdering her brother, told gardaí she had “put the knife in” Michael Brennan in December 2008.
Ms Brennan (19), Castlecomer, denies the murder of her brother during a party in the town on December 30th, 2008. William Brennan, of Church Ave, Castlecomer, said he had become “very concerned” at his son’s attitude prior to his death. “We tried to talk to him,” said Mr Brennan. But the deceased would not avail of psychological help, the court heard.
Mr Brennan told Paddy McCarthy SC, defending, that his son had previously “threatened to kill” his cousin.
“He wanted everyone to do things for him. Sometimes he would push them about.” Mr Brennan said that he had “totally” lost control of his son, before finally “putting him out” of the family home, about a year before his death.
He agreed with Mr McCarthy that his son was barred from every pub in Castlecomer and that he would threaten the younger members of the family after taking drink and drugs.
“He was very agitated, very violent in himself,” said Mr Brennan.Caroline Brennan, her boyfriend Keith Byrne, and Michael Brennan’s girlfriend Lisa Peagram, were all involved in altercations with him at a party at the home of his uncle, in Barrack Street, Castlecomer. While there, Mr Brennan demanded his sister talk with him in the bathroom.
Det Garda Luke Kelly said that during questioning at Kilkenny Garda station, “Ms Brennan said she and her brother had “never got on. He always hated me. I had the knife to frighten him if he came near me. He kept putting his hand up. He wouldn’t let me out the door.
“I attempted to get out the door. When I tried a third time, he put his hand up. That’s when I hit him with it. He just said, ‘She stabbed me’ and then he slapped me into the face. When I walked back in he was lying on the couch,” added Ms Brennan.
Mr Justice Paul Carney adjourned the case to next Tuesday.
