Brawl stabbing: three face trial

THREE men will face trial over public order offences following an incident in Dublin during which an Oldham man was killed.

Jason Lee Martin (39) died from stab wounds he sustained in a row outside a pub in Ballyfermot on September 27, 2009.

Mr Martin was killed when an organised England v Ireland fight outside Hannigen’s Bar in Park West Road developed into a 20-man brawl involving knives, hockey sticks, a hatchet and broken glass.

Derek O’Driscoll (38), David King (27) and Michael Byrne (39) are facing public order offences arising out of an incident outside the pub. They face trial in Dublin Circuit Court after prosecutors ruled the matters were too serious for the District Court. The court was told there could be up to 200 witnesses.

O’Driscoll, of Ballyfermot, appeared before the court charged with affray and violent disorder.

His co-accused, King, also of Ballyfermot, is charged with violent disorder and with assaulting two peace officers. The third man, Michael Byrne, of Clondalkin, is charged with affray.

At the time of his death, Mr Martin was wanted by detectives investigating the kidnap of a father-of-four Paul Brady (44), from Rochdale. The building site manager was snatched by up to 10 masked men armed with metal poles in Bacup in August, 2009.