Body of Patricia Kierans found by gardai in bedroom at family home, trial hears

At the Central Criminal Court, a jury heard that gardaí discovered the body of Patricia Kierans at her family home in Drumbannon, Bailieboro, County Cavan, on the evening of 5 September 2013. Garda Adrian O'Hanlon of Virginia Garda Station testified that he found Ms Kierans lying on the floor of a bedroom containing a cot. Oliver Kierans, aged 57, has pleaded not guilty to her murder on that date, and also to unlawful possession of a double-barrel shotgun and possession of the weapon with intent to endanger life. The court heard evidence that gardaí attended The Square bar in Bailieboro as part of a critical incident response, where the accused was later arrested at 3.20am. The trial, before Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly and a jury, addresses legal issues and will resume with evidence on Friday.