Summerhill man (29) on trial for murder of friend

A Meath man accused of murder telephoned Gardai and told them he killed his friend 'because he would not give him cocaine', the Central Criminal Court has heard. John Mooney (29), also known as John-Paul, with an address at Trim Road, Summerhill, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Thomas Canning (42), also from Summerhill, at Lough Lene, Collinstown, Co Westmeath, on 30th August last year. He has pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of Thomas Canning. Opening the prosecution case, Michael Durack, SC, told the jury that they will have to decide whether or not Mooney had the 'intention to kill or cause serious harm' at the time of Thomas Canning"s death. He told the jury that the men had been friends for some time. Mooney had difficulties with alcohol and drugs while Canning was a separated father of two who was prone to depression. Mr Durack said that the accused and the deceased collected their social welfare that afternoon in Summerhill and then took Thomas Canning"s campervan for a drive round the area, calling in at various stops, including Castlepollard where they bought 24 cans of Miller, before ending up that evening in the carpark of Lough Lene, Collinstown. There were two other campervans parked there. The jury will also hear evidence from State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy that the cause of death was 'a form of strangulation and that the deceased"s Adam"s Apple was fractured.' Garda Martina Gallagher, Kells Garda Station, told the jury that she received a call on the night of the alleged murder from a woman who identified herself as Nicola Smith. 'She said that a friend of hers, John Mooney, had killed another friend of theirs, Gizmo' - Gizmo was Mr Canning"s nickname. Ms Smith gave Garda Gallagher a phone number for Mooney, she called him and he informed her that he had killed his friend, she said. 'He asked us to please hurry, to get the Gardai to come. There was an urgency in his voice.' Garda Martin Fox, Granard Garda Station, told the court that he received a call from Mooney at 3.42am that morning. 'He told me that he had just killed his friend. He said they"d been taking cocaine and had been drinking beer all day and that he asked his friend to give him more cocaine, which he refused to give him, and that that"s why he killed him.' Garda Kieran Farrell, Edgeworthstown Garda Station, told the court that he went to the scene of the alleged murder and saw Mooney sitting in the passenger seat of the campervan, drinking a can of beer. 'He was talking a lot and said, 'I murdered him. I stood up for myself. I kept my corner".' Rachel Dillon told the court that she had been working earlier on that day in a pub in Delvin and that Mooney and Canning had a drink there at approximately 6pm. 'To me, they both seemed in very good form, very chatty, very friendly,' she said. The trial continues this week.