THE man on trial for murder joked days after the discovery of a dismembered body by a man searching for a missing cat – “Imagine… if the cat ripped off the head.” 

This conversation was recalled by a student who worked part time at the premises where the accused man was employed as a chef.

Ionut Cosmin Nicholescu, 30, with an address at Branistea Village, Damovita County, Romania is on trial charged with the murder of Francis (Frankie) Dunne between Friday December 27 and Saturday December 28, 2019, at Castlegreine House, Boreenamanna Road, Cork.

The conversation described by student and co-worker, Lauryn Walsh, occurred on Sunday morning December 29, 2019 at tables in the smoking area of the Silver Key pub in Cork, where the defendant was employed and known by his Christian name Ionut or as Johnny.

Ms Walsh said she and Johnny and another member of staff were outside at tables, as were a couple of regular customers. She recalled that Johnny was ignoring the conversation and staring into space but that he paid attention to the conversation when it turned to news of the discovery of a body.

Ms Walsh said that a lady called Jean and an elderly regular customer, whom she only knew as ‘black coffee man’, were talking about the news. 

She said, “Johnny got up and went up to where black coffee man and Jean were sitting and said, ‘I just want to listen’.” 

Reference was made in the conversation to a dismembered body being discovered by a man searching for his missing cat.

“Johnny said, ‘Imagine if kitty was playing with the head or if the cat ripped off the head.’ I thought this was inappropriate but typical of Johnny,” Ms Walsh testified.

Restaurant manager, Petar Lucic, recalled that the accused was a hard worker who did not smoke or drink.

Bar manager Ross Campion recalled a conversation with the accused that Sunday when he said, “If anyone asks for me don’t tell them anything. It doesn’t matter. Tomorrow I’ll be gone.” 

And Mr Campion said the defendant repeated this.

The trial continues on Monday March 20.