Man on trial for murder of woman in Waterford city

A 34-year-old man has gone on trial for the murder of a woman in Waterford city.

Marcus O’Neill of O’Brien Street, Waterford city, appeared before Judge Caroline Biggs at the Central Criminal Court in Waterford today.

The accused appeared before a jury of seven women and five men, charged with the murder of Gillian Curran at O’Brien Street, Waterford city, on Saturday, 25 January last.

Ms Curran, 47, originally from Sweetbriar in Tramore, Co Waterford, was found in an unresponsive state by emergency services and gardaí after they entered the house on O’Brien Street at 10am.

She was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

Marcus O’Neill told gardaí he had sustained injuries to his hand punching a wall

The jury was told by prosecuting counsel, Conor O’Doherty SC, that the accused man regularly resided at the residence.

A 999 call was made to gardaí, which, he said, would be played back to the court.

The emergency services were contacted, and having arrived at the scene of the incident, they found Ms Curran unresponsive.

Mr O’Doherty said the accused man told of having moved the body and dressed her, after which he made the 999 call.

Mr O’Doherty told the jury they would hear details of gardaí attending the scene of the incident, a doctor being called, and of the accused being present at Waterford University Hospital for treatment to injuries, after which he was arrested and brought to Waterford Garda Station, where he was interviewed on four occasions.

The prosecutor said Mr O’Neill told of having punched the wall as an explanation as to how he received the injuries to his hand.

The State Pathologist was informed and a post-mortem examination was carried out, who said that death was the result of blunt force traumatic injuries to her head.

Investigating gardaí showed detailed photographs and a video recording of the house at the centre of the incident.

The jury also heard a recording of the 999 telephone call made by the accused to gardaí.

The accused told of finding Ms Curran on the floor and said that he could hear a heartbeat. He said in the call that her breathing was not normal and she was not responding.

When requested by the garda during the telephone conversation to turn the woman over on her side, the accused responded “she is not breathing”.

Having also been requested to press on her chest bone, as he did so the ambulance personnel arrived at the house, at which stage the conversation ended.

The trial continues.