Murder accused tells court he made up stories out of fear

Mr Conmey also claims he was punched, thrown on the floor and then “pulled up by the hair” while being questioned at Trim Garda Station in the aftermath of the 19-year-old’s disappearance,

Lawyers for Mr Conmey (aged 59) of Porterstown Lane, Ratoath, Co Meath are arguing that “newly discovered facts” will prove he was not responsible for Ms Lynskey’s death in 1971.

Her body was discovered on December 10, 1971 in a ditch in a remote part of the Dublin Mountains two months after she vanished while returning to her family home at Porterstown Lane after work.

A post mortem examination failed to establish how the young civil servant died. She had no broken bones and there were no signs she was strangled.

In 1972, Martin Conmey and another man, Dick Donnelly, were convicted of her manslaughter. A year later, both men appealed and Donnelly’s conviction was overturned, but Martin Comney served three years in prison for the offence.

A third man, Martin Kerrigan, was also suspected of having been involved in the crime, but he was abducted and killed a short time after the body of Ms Lynskey was discovered.

Under cross examination today, Mr Conmey was asked by Mr Brendan Grehan SC, for the State, about “an admission” he made to a Garda Inspector on the morning of October 26, 1971 during a period of interviewing at Trim garda station.

Mr Conmey said he “was making up stories” because he was “so frightened and scared”. He said he “just agreed” with questions put to him after being told he would “never get home to see his parents”.

The CCA of Mr Justice Adrian Hardiman presiding, sitting with Mr Justice Declan Budd and Mr Justice Eamon De Valera heard how the “admission” included a reference to “meeting” Una Lynskey “on the road” on the evening she disappeared.

Ms Lynskey was offered a lift and “got into the car”, belonging to Dick Donnelly and Martin Conmey subsequently got out.

Mr Conmey told the court yesterday, he “never met that girl that night” but did accept he told the Inspector his “admission was true” and that he asked him “not to write it down”. He said he was “afraid” that a Garda who assaulted him would be brought back into the interview room. He also denied that he had “been tearing at” his hair.

Yesterday was the third day of the hearing of Mr Conmey’s application, being brought under Section 2 of the Criminal Procedure Act 1993, which is part of his attempt to have his conviction declared a miscarriage of justice

Lawyers for Mr Conmey claim that “newly discovered” facts in the case include the existence of “earlier” contradictory statements from key witnesses and a previously unknown allegation of violence and “oppression” by investigating Gardaí against one of these.

Earlier, Mr Conmey’s sister claimed her brother returned from Garda questioning on October 27, 1971 with a “swollen face” and “bald patches on his head”.

Mary Gaughan broke down as she told the court she “vividly remembered” the “terrifying experience” of her brother coming home. Mrs Goughan, who was 16 at the time, told Ms Pauline Walley SC, for the State that she observed her then 20-year brother “traumatised”.

A letter, written by Mary Gaughan on November 1, 1971 to a friend, was also read to the court yesterday. It alleges Garda abuse against Martin Conmey.

Mrs Gaughan wrote “this place would scare you now” and detailed how “murderer Conmey” had been painted on the outside wall of their home alongside a picture of a “man hanging from the gallows”.

The letter also said the Conmey family had received a post card to the same effect.

The hearing was scheduled to last four day but today the court heard the case would need a further three days.

The CCA said it had “heavy commitments at present” and inquiries would be made as to when more time could be allocated to it.