Murder accused called friend 'rat' and 'supergrass' hours before fatal stabbing, court hears

Eoin Reynolds

A jury has heard that a murder accused was recorded calling his friend a "supergrass" and a "rat", during an exchange in which the defendant also told his alleged victim: "I'll stab you straight into your neck."

In the recording, Joseph Lawlor (39) goes on to say that he wouldn't stab the deceased, Michael Ryan (51), adding: "I love you too f**king much."

Mr Lawlor has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Michael Ryan outside Mr Lawlor's home in Hampton Wood Way, St Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 on June 20th, 2024.

The jury has previously seen footage of two fights between Mr Lawlor and Mr Ryan that were captured on CCTV and by neighbours using their mobile phones at 8.30pm and at about 9.40pm.

Part of the build-up to the third and fatal encounter after midnight was captured on a neighbour's Ring doorbell while CCTV footage from different houses captured the moment when Mr Ryan suffered the stab wound to the neck that caused his death.

Det Gda Shane Gallagher on Thursday told prosecution counsel Bernard Condon SC that he spent 14 hours listening to a recording of a conversation between the accused and deceased. The audio recording was made by a neighbour of Mr Lawlor's at 9.38pm, minutes before the second fight between Mr Lawlor and Mr Ryan.

Six people were in Mr Lawlor's home at the time but Det Gda Gallagher said he was able to prepare a transcript identifying the voices of Mr Lawlor and Mr Ryan.

In one exchange, Det Gda Gallagher said Mr Lawlor can be heard saying: "This is your fifth chance you f**king w**ker... I'll stab you right straight into your neck."

Mr Ryan said: "What are you trying to stab me with. Go on, stab me bro, stab me."

Mr Lawlor replied: "No, I love you too f**king much," before a door slammed and Mr Lawlor could be heard saying, "f**k him".

A short time later Mr Lawlor said, "you are a f**king supergrass", and later said: "He's after ratting on all his best mates, f**king snitch. I have proof of it, he's a f**king snitch he is."

As the voices moved to another part of the house, Det Gda Gallagher said Mr Lawlor can be heard referring to Mr Ryan by his nickname, Chino, saying: "Chino, who do you think is going to kill who? I'm your mate." Mr Ryan replied: "You're not my friend any more."

The trial continues before Ms Justice Karen O'Connor and a jury of five women and seven men.