Published Thursday, 11 June 2009
Lawyers for Thomas Hawkes, 58, also said he downed alcohol to summon up the courage to attempt the 'mercy killing' of Billy Cousins.
Hawkes later claimed he spent a minute beside stroke-victim Mr Cousin's bed before becoming so upset he put his hand over the stricken man's mouth and nose, a judge was told.
New details in the case emerged on Thursday as the accused was refused High Court bail due to a serious risk of returning to the ward where the offence allegedly occurred.
Hawkes, a former ship builder from Rosslea Way, Newtownabbey, was charged with attempted murder after being arrested at the Royal Victoria Hospital on Monday.
Prosecutors said he had pulled the curtains round 58-year-old Mr Cousins bed and was trying to stop him breathing when staff intervened.
Crown counsel Fiona O'Kane told the court the accused claimed he had previously agreed with Mr Cousins that neither man should allow the other to suffer severe ill-health or disability.
'A pact'
The barrister stressed how Hawkes claimed he would do the same again, allegedly telling police: "I didn't get it done right. I would have helped him that helped me."
Mrs O'Kane confirmed the incident had not impacted on the victim's condition.
But opposing bail, she added: "Given his statement that he was carrying out his part in a pact and that he had not succeeded and he would do the same again, there is a concern he would try again."
Defence counsel Mark Farrell argued that instead of attempted murder, the proper charge should be complicity in suicide.
He told the court the two friends came to the agreement after Mr Cousin's brother earlier suffered a stroke which left him heavily dependent on family support.
The barrister said the prosecution had not taken into consideration the background in the case, adding that the victim's family wished Hawkes no ill-will.
According to Mr Farrell: "He has seen the error of his ways and he would have no interest in finishing off the job that he started."
But refusing bail, Mr Justice Treacy said: "This is an extremely unusual case. It's also one I find quite disturbing.
"In light of the applicant's comments to police, and also the drink problem that he plainly has, I consider there is a grave risk indeed that this applicant would attempt to finish what he started."