Knife-punctured lung was cause of death, court hears as deceased's partner denies murder charge

A Deputy State Pathologist has told a murder trial jury that a 30 year old man was stabbed four times, with the fatal blow being an 18cm deep stab wound to his left shoulder which penetrated his lung.

Knife-punctured lung was cause of death, court hears as deceased's partner denies murder charge

A Deputy State Pathologist has told a murder trial jury that a 30 year old man was stabbed four times, with the fatal blow being an 18cm deep stab wound to his left shoulder which penetrated his lung.

Paula Farrell (42) with an address at Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth is charged with murdering her partner Wayne McQuillan (30) at her home on January 1, 2014.

A week ago at the Central Criminal Court, Ms Farrell pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr McQuillan.

Deputy State Pathologist Dr Michael Curtis today told prosecution Counsel Mr Gerard Clarke SC that he carried out a post mortem exam on the body of Wayne McQuillan at Our Lady of Lourdes

Hospital in Drogheda on the afternoon of January 1 2014.

Dr Curtis told the court there was four stab wounds to the deceased but it was the second stab wound, with a track depth of 18cm which severed the vein and penetrated the lung which was the fatal blow.

The jury of five men and seven women heard from the pathologist that the first stab wound was situated on the right upper arm.

"The second stab wound was immediately anterior to the left shoulder, it was vertically oriented and inflicted in a downward movement. It severed the vein, passed between the first and second rib and

penetrated the lung. As a result of this wound, there was massive leakage of blood and air into the chest cavity," Dr Curtis told the court.

Dr Curtis said the appearance of the third stab wound, which was lateral to the second, with a depth of 15cm would suggest it was from a single edged blade. The fourth stab wound was located on the

left side of the upper anterior of the chest.

The court also heard that there were twenty separate scratches on the deceased's body which were of recent origin and some contained multiple scratches.

Dr Curtis said he also examined two of the knives found at the scene and how the bigger of the two knives was over 31cm in length with a blade of 20cm long. It was single edged and non serrated with the handle damaged near the hilt.

"In my opinion stab two, three and four would have been caused by the bigger of the two knives. His death resulted from the effects of the second stab wound which would wounded his left lung and left

subclavian vein. There was no defence stab wounds on his body and high levels of alcohol were detected," concluded Dr Curtis.

In cross examination Dr Curtis agreed with defence counsel Mr Derek Kenneally SC that the stabbings were inflicted one after the other "in rapid succession" to essentially the same part of the body.

In re-examination counsel for the DPP Mr Clarke asked Dr Curtis would the high levels of alcohol found in his body have affected his ability to defend himself?

"That's possible," replied Dr Curtis.

"Is it also possible that with the high level of Mr McQuillan's intoxication that a person would be aggressive?" then asked Mr Kenneally.

"It is possible yes," replied Dr Curtis.

Dr Hilary Clarke, a scientific doctor who works in the Forensic Science Lab of The Department of Justice was the second witness of the day and had been given a number of items of clothing belonging to Paula Farrell from the night, to see if she could establish a link between them and a blood sample from the deceased.

"The DNA profile of the blood staining on the chest area of the silver top and the front lower leg of the pyjama bottoms matched Wayne McQuillan's,” said Dr Clarke.

In the afternoon Mr Kenneally asked Garda Andrew Corbett of Drogheda Garda Station if he noticed Ms Farrell had a bump to her forehead when she arrived at the station at 6.40AM on the morning of January 1 2014 which he agreed with.

"And a wound to the right cheek area of her face?" asked the defence counsel.

"I don't recall that," he replied.

"Was there a visible bite mark to her cheek which she had to receive treatment for during the course of her custody?" asked Mr Kenneally.

"I believe so," answered Gda Corbett.

"She also had bruising to her hands, wrists and neck?" asked Mr Kenneally.

"I didn’t notice that," he replied.

Gda Lisa Finglas of Drogheda Garda Station who took up duty as member in charge for several hours on January 1 2014 then told the defence counsel she was aware of injuries to the cheek and neck of Ms Farrell as they were photographed.

"You do recall a bite mark to her face," asked Mr Kenneally.

“There was a mark to her cheek and marks to both sides of her neck," replied Gda Finglas.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and the prosecution will finish calling evidence tomorrow.

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