McCartney row 'storm in teacup'

Robert McCartney was beaten and stabbed to death three years ago

The man accused of murdering Robert McCartney told police the row in a Belfast city centre bar the night of his killing was a "storm in a teacup".

Belfast Crown Court heard excerpts of police interviews with Terence Malachy Davison, 51, who denies the murder.

He said a row in Magennis's bar broke out after a comment which Mr Davison's partner perceived was made to her.

The accused said he shook hands with Mr McCartney after an "amicable discussion" about the comment.

However, he said a short time later a fight broke out between Mr McCartney's friend Brendan Devine and the accused's nephew, Gerard Davison, which then spilled outside.

Terence Davison told police: "People had been hurt on both sides.

"There were no winners and I was just hoping they (Mr McCartney and Mr Devine) would leave the scene and we (Terence and Gerard Davison) could have gone straight to the hospital and everybody wakes up the following morning."

Mr Davison was later picked out of a identity parade by two witnesses as the man they saw attacking Mr McCartney on the street, however, he consistently denied throughout the interviews he was involved in the murder.

When asked if he had been amongst the group of men seen following Mr McCartney and Mr Devine down Market Street, Davison replied "no".

He added he "most certainly did not" assault either man in Market Street but left the scene and went to the Royal Victoria Hospital in a car.

As well as the murder charge he also denies affray as do James McCormick, 39, and Joseph Gerard Emmanuel Fitzpatrick, 47.

Mr Fitzpatrick is further charged with an assault on another of Mr McCartney's friends.

The court was told both Mr Fitzpatrick and Mr McCormick refused to make any comments to police on the advice of their solicitors after they were arrested.

Mr McCartney was beaten and stabbed to death close to the bar in January 2005.

The trial continues.