A court’s heard a man was allegedly stabbed 28 times, put into the boot of a car and then pushed into a canal near Slane, Co Meath.

23-year-old Paul Crosby has gone on trial accused of the attempted murder and false imprisonment of Gerard Boyle in November 2016.

In opening the case, the prosecuting barrister said the alleged victim in this case, Gerard Boyle, had the windows of his Drogheda home broken in March 2016.

A few months later in November, a man called Paul Crosby called to his home in Drogheda and asked for a chat.

They drove along with another man to a townland called Knockcommon near Slane.

It will be alleged Gerard Boyle was driving the car when he was stabbed a number of times and then put into the boot of the car - which was then pushed into a canal.

The court heard Gerard Boyle managed to escape by kicking and pushing down the back seat of the car, and he waded and swam his way to safety.

He managed to raise the alarm and was brought to hospital, where it was discovered he had 28 stab wounds.

Paul Crosby of Rathmullen Park in Drogheda denies charges of attempted murder, false imprisonment and assault causing harm.

Reporting by Stephanie Rohan