Bourke case judge accused of giving wrong directions to the jury
Lawyers for wife-killer David Bourke have claimed, on appeal, that the judge at his murder trial gave wrong directions to the jury and attempted to write the law on the spot.
The Mullingar man repeatedly stabbed 45-year-old Jean Gilbert in front of their three children at their home in Laverna Dales, Castleknock, Dublin in August 2007 because she was having an affair.
He admitted manslaughter but denied murder, claiming he was provoked.
On appeal, his lawyers say the trial judge misrepresented his defence to the jury and made an outright refusal to amend his directions when legal objections were raised.
