A FOREIGN national accused of the murder of Dungannon man, Shaun Fitzpatrick, has claimed witnesses in the case have told lies because "they do not like Lithuanians".
The sensational accusation came as 23 year-old Andrius Dunauskas, from Lisnahull Road in the town, gave evidence on his own behalf at Dungannon Crown Court.
Dunauskas is jointly charged with fellow countryman, Ramunas Balseris, 26, from Altmore Dr
ive, of murdering the popular supermarket manager as he made his way home from a night out in the early hours of Easter Sunday, 2008.
Both men deny murder, instead blaming each other for the “sustained and brutal” attack on the 32 year-old.
attack
On Thursday, Dunauskas took to the witness stand accompanied by prison guards and an interpreter.
Family members of Mr Fitzpatrick broke down as they listened to Dunauskas’ claim that his co-accused had subjected their brother and son to a horrifying attack in an alleyway off the town’s Donaghmore Road on March 24, 2008.
Quizzed by his own barrister, Terence McDonald QC, Andrius Dunuaskas claimed that he and Balseris had been walking behind Mr Fitzpatrick along the Donaghmore Road when Balseris allegedly told him he “wanted a fight” because “he (Basleris) was aggressive that night”.
Asked whether there had been any reason why Balseris would want a confrontation on that night, Dunauskas replied: “Because he was aggressive that evening, he wanted a fight.
