Chef died from injuries after Cork supermarket car park attack by man with sword who he owed money to, murder trial told
A CHEF died from injuries sustained in a car park after he was attacked by a man with a sword to whom he owed money, a murder trial heard.
Ian Baitson, 33, died in
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Dylan Scannell pleaded guilty to manslaughter, not guilty to murder
Credit: Cork Courts
Dylan Scannell, 30, of O'Rahilly Street, Cobh, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but not guilty to the murder of Mr Baitson in the Eurospar
Opening the case for the prosecution, Senior Counsel Donal O'Sullivan outlined the events which led to the death of Mr Baitson.
He said the incident happened at the Eurospar
O'Sullivan said: 'It is alleged that Dylan Scannell attacked and struck Ian Baitson with a sword. The two men knew each other.
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'Apparently there was a debt owed by Ian Baitson to the accused man.
"The debt was being paid off over a period of time, bit by bit.'
The Prosecutor said gardai recovered Mr Baitson's phone at the scene on which there were
These became more threatening leading up to March 15.
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He said there was CCTV footage of the car park at the Eurospar.
He told the court that Ian left his home on the evening of March 15 and arrived at the shopping centre car park, which is located near his home.
'APPEARED TO BE A SWORD'
He parked at the rear of the complex.
Mr O'Sullivan said: 'A car pulled up, a person came out and immediately attacked Ian Baitson with a weapon which appeared to be a sword.
'It is alleged that Dylan Scannell attacked Mr Baitson with the sword, causing his death.
"He left the scene in his car, a silver Octavia.
'Unfortunately Mr Baitson passed away four days later.'
ROUTE TRAVELLED
He said CCTV showed the route travelled by Scannell and
Mr O'Sullivan said there was a shingle-type beach and a sword was found there.
He also told the court that blood on this weapon showed DNA that matched Ian Baitson's DNA.
His blood was also on a mat in the front passenger area of the car, which was rented.
The trial continues before Ms Justice Eileen Creedon and is expected to last a week.
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Ian Baitson died in Cork University Hospital on March 19
Credit: PA
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