Witnesses have reported to the Central Criminal Court trial that the individual, described as an “absolute gentleman,” looked “emaciated” and “terrified” in the months leading up to his death. He had shared with friends his fears of a young man who he had taken in at his home, who is now being charged with his murder, as he was constantly in demand of money from him.
The court was informed that the mother of the accused supposedly witnessed her son attacking Peter Kennedy, the individual in question, with a five-inch blade, hitting him in the back of his neck as he pleaded for assistance. The mother of the defendant additionally reportedly saw her son threatening the elderly man’s life.
Brian Ibe, 23 years old, refutes charges of murdering Mr. Kennedy, who was 65 years old, but confesses to his involvement in his demise, following Mr. Kennedy’s offer to him and his mother that they could stay at his residence until they found their own place to live.
Mr. Ibe, previously residing in Moore Park, Newbridge in County Kildare, and also associated with the Peter McVerry Trust in Dublin 12, did not accept his guilt in Mr. Kennedy’s killing in Newbridge between April 28 and May 12, 2020. Mr. Ibe contested his guilt on the basis of insanity.
Ibe additionally pleaded not guilty to the charge of assault that resulted in injury to Garda Brendan O’Donnell at the Newbridge police station on April 29, 2020, also on the grounds of insanity.
At a hearing in the Central Criminal Court, Lisa Swords, an associate of Mr. Kennedy for 36 years, addressed Fiona Murphy SC, the prosecution, describing Mr. Kennedy as “always a reliable companion” who treated her family well. She shared an encounter with Mr. Kennedy during Christmas 2019 where he seemed to be “on the brink of starvation.”
Pauline Harty, who had been friends and neighbours with Mr. Kennedy for a decade, described him as a “complete and utter gentleman”, always ready to assist others and incapable of seeing any negatives in people.
In a testimony given in court by Ms Murphy, Martha, the mother of Mr Ibe, revealed that she witnessed her son attacking Mr Kennedy, stabbing him in the base of his neck in a room situated on the upper level of their house. Martha Ibe indicated that her son deliberately targeted Peter, lunging at him with a knife measuring around four to five inches. She was able to identify Mr Kennedy’s pleas for assistance and for the police to be alerted. According to a post-mortem examination conducted by Dr Heidi Okkers, the cause of Mr Kennedy’s death was a brain injury resultant from severe cranial trauma. Presided over by Mr Justice Paul Burns with a twelve-member jury consisting of seven women and five men, the trial, which commences on Friday, is anticipated to carry on for a duration of fourteen days.