Brother Tells Cork Court Alleged Stabbing Scene Was 'Like a Horror Film'

John Brennan testified at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on May 5 that his two brothers were allegedly stabbed by their younger sibling William Brennan at a family property in Dunmanway, Co Cork, describing the scene as 'like a horror film.' William Brennan, 32, denies causing serious harm and producing a knife during the August 17, 2024 incident.

The Details

John Brennan told the jury he thought his brother Jerry Brennan Jnr was going to die after blood began 'firing' from his arm, according to RTÉ News. In testimony given on May 5, John Brennan said: 'They were just standing side by side motionless. I could see Jerry holding his arm. I walked over and there was blood firing out of his arm.' He added: 'I thought he was going to die. There was blood everywhere.'

The trial concerns William Brennan, 32, of Longbridge, Ballyhalwick, Dunmanway, Co Cork, who faces charges of causing serious harm to John Brennan and Jerry Brennan Jnr and producing a knife on August 17, 2024. He denies all charges.

According to John Brennan's account reported by RTÉ News, he and Jerry Brennan Jnr arrived at the Ballyhalwick property on the evening of August 17 to tidy the site. John Brennan testified that a judge had previously directed that the siblings should not be on the property at the same time as William Brennan, The Journal reported. He told the court that he and Jerry Brennan Jnr usually locked the gate when they were inside.

John Brennan said William Brennan appeared with a grinder at the locked gate, according to The Journal. He testified that William later entered the property angrily, holding a knife, the Irish Times reported.

John Brennan testified that the confrontation unfolded rapidly. 'It just happened so fast. I took a step back. I was in disbelief,' he told the court, according to The Journal.

According to John Brennan's account reported by the Irish Times, Jerry Brennan Jnr was stabbed in the arm during the confrontation. John Brennan said he only realized he himself had also been stabbed after helping Jerry Jnr flee the yard.

The court heard that passer-by Tim Connolly stopped his van to assist the injured men, RTÉ News reported. John Brennan used a belt as a makeshift tourniquet on Jerry Brennan Jnr's injured arm.

Under cross-examination, defence barrister Jane Hyland suggested that John and Jerry Brennan had attacked William Brennan and that William produced the knife in self-defence, BreakingNews.ie reported. John Brennan denied those claims. The defence position is that William Brennan acted in self-defence.

Context

The family property in Ballyhalwick had previously belonged to Jerry Brennan Snr and was signed over to the three brothers years before the alleged incident, according to evidence previously heard by the court.

Several reports said six or seven CCTV cameras at the property had been removed before the alleged stabbing, according to John Brennan's testimony.

Coverage across Irish outlets indicates the trial was continuing before a jury after John Brennan's evidence and cross-examination.

What's Next

The trial of William Brennan was continuing before a jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. The prosecution's case is expected to continue with further evidence after John Brennan's testimony and cross-examination.