Jury in double murder trial to begin deliberations
The scene of last year's double murder at O'Malley Park. The jury of six men and six women is expected to begin its deliberations today
THE jury in the trial of two cousins accused of murdering Des Kelly and Breda Waters in Southill last year is expected to begin its deliberations this morning.
The trial, which began on October 8, has reached its closing stages at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin.
Evidence concluded on Wednesday evening and yesterday the jury heard closing speeches from lawyers representing the accused men.
Thomas Stewart, aged 29, of The Cedars, Briarfield, Castletroy and Patrick O’Brien, aged 33, of Glanntan, Golf Links Road, Castletroy have pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Kelly, 23, and Ms Waters, 28, at O’Malley Park on January 9, 2011.
It is the prosecution case that both men committed the murders shortly before 9am on the day of the fatal shootings in what was a case of “common Enterprise”.
Hugh Hartnett SC, representing Stewart, told the jury that there is “no motive suggested by the prosecution whatsoever and I submit this is very critical as it is the missing strand in the rope.”
Sean Gillane SC, representing O’Brien asked the jury to “turn the case on its head when looking at evidence and to assess the evidence appropriately.”
Mr Justice George Birmingham will conclude his charge to the jurors this morning before sending them out to deliberate their verdicts after that.
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Saturday 25 May 2013
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