The State Pathologist has told the trial of a man accused of murdering a father of two in Dublin that the victim was stabbed in the heart. Alan Harte of Claireville Grove in Glasnevin denies murdering Peter Gunn at a flat in Cabra five years ago.

The body of Mr. Gunn was found in a water filled ditch behind Dublin Airport eleven days after he was stabbed to death on January 4th in 2009.

The State Pathologist Dr. Marie Cassidy examined the body and she outlined the results of her post mortem to the jury earlier today. Mr. Gunn died from a deep stab wound to the chest that penetrated his heart, she said.

He also suffered stab wounds to the face, trunk, hand and left lung.

Dr. Cassidy also found evidence of what she described as "animal damage" to the victim's fingers and concluded it was not a swift death. She also said he could have been alive when he was put into the water but she had no evidence to support this.

Several people left the court room in tears when she made this point. Mr. Harte (32) is accused of stabbing Mr. Gunn at a flat in Cabra and dumping his body.

He denies the charge.