Newly submitted evidence in the trial over an alleged 2018 stabbing in Longford is to be examined by Gardaí overnight.
Denis Hannifin of Curry, Athlone Road, is charged with assault, affray, possession and production of a weapon capable of causing serious harm at Longford Shopping Centre 4 years ago.
He's pleaded not guilty to the charges, with the defence today arguing that the alleged victim was the one to produce the knife.
Denis McGinley received back, arm, chest and facial wounds following a violent incident at Longford Shopping Centre on the 7th of December 2018.
Under cross examination from the defence today, Mr McGinley was accused of 'viciously assaulting' Denis Hannifin within seconds of encountering him at the entrance to the centre.
Responding to the claims, Denis McGinely admitted to 'panicking' and 'lashing out', striking Mr Hannifin a number of times when he saw him coming towards him.
It was argued by the defence that Mr McGinley produced the implement in the first instance and it was taken from him by the accused, a claim which he strongly denied.
Garda John Fitzmaurice who gave evidence over CCTV footage today, stated that after he was first struck, Denis Hannifin appeared to remove his right hand from his pocket with a 'shiny object' in his palm.
According to further CCTV evidence heard today, a phone belonging to Mr McGinley was seen to be picked up from the scene by Denis Hannifin following the confrontation, with the defendant admitting to taking it on the assumption it was his own.
In a statement to Gardaí following his arrest in 2019, Mr Hannifin claimed to have dumped the phone later that night following the realization it was not his.
However the phone was provided to the court by the defence this afternoon, who claimed it contained audio recordings of calls that suggested Denis McGinley had entered the premises seeking to attack Denis Hannifin.
The phone is to be examined by a Garda technical specialist overnight before the trial continues tomorrow morning.
