Prosecution opens argument in Cork murder trial
A young man went on trial today charged with murdering a retired barman in Cork city in October 2008.
Paul Murphy, aged 25, of 57 Kilmore Road, Knocknaheeny, Cork, went on trial at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork on the principle charge of murdering 62-year-old Donal Manley at his home on 68 High Street, Cork, between October 10 and October 12, 2008.
The jury was told that there would be forensic evidence of blood matching that of the deceased being found on the accused’s left runner, and a palm print matching the accused found on a door at the deceased’s home.
Prosecution senior counsel, Mary-Ellen Ring, said to the jury of nine women and three men in her opening of the case: “You will hear that on Thursday October 9, 2008, he (the late Mr Manley) was socialising in public houses in the Cork city area.
“You will hear evidence that he then met up with the accused, Paul Murphy, in or around Morrisson Quay/ Fitton Street, in the early hours of October 10.
“Among the evidence there will be CCTV evidence. You will see figures walking along the street. One is identified as the late Donal Manley.”
The senior counsel said witnesses saw a man on High Street between 5pm and 5.30pm that afternoon walking towards Douglas carrying a flat-screen TV, an umbrella and wearing a red jacket.
As well as denying murder, Paul Murphy also denies assaulting Mr Manley causing him serious harm and stealing property from the deceased’s home, including a jacket, baseball cap, umbrella, watch, flat-screen TV and Chorus black box.
“The prosecution case is that between 2pm and 5.30pm on October 10 the late Mr Manley was severely assaulted in a way that led to his death and that Mr Murphy carried out that assault,” Ms Ring said.
The trial before Mr Justice Paul Carney continues tomorrow.
