The victim of an alleged stabbing has told a Longford Court he thought he was bleeding to death as the trial over the 2018 incident began today.
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 all charges.
Addressing the court today, Denis McGinley said ' I thought he was never going to stop, I feared for my life".
Mr McGinley reportedly received injuries to his face, chest, arm and back during an incident at Longford Shopping Centre on the 7th of December, 2018.
The confrontation occurred at the entrance to the shopping center before moving into the nearby Lloyd's Pharmacy.
It's alleged that Mr McGinley's sister, Shirley McGinley jnr had been shopping at Tesco in the centre on the 7th of December 2018 at around 7pm, while her brother waited in a car outside.
On encountering the accused in the shop, it's claimed Ms McGinley called her brother and asked him to come and walk her out as she feared for her safety.
Describing the incident to the court, Denis McGinley said he encountered Mr Hannifin at the shopping centre entrance minutes later.
Mr McGinley admitted to 'lashing out' at Denis Hannifin and striking him in the head.
He claims Mr Hannifin then immediately started stabbing him with a knife 7 to 8 inches in length.
The court examined extensive CCTV footage of the alleged violent incident.
Denis McGinley identified both himself and the accused, Denis Hannifin, on multiple camera recordings.
The trial is set to resume tomorrow before Judge Francis Comerford and a jury of 7 women and 5 men at Longford Circuit Criminal Court.
