Derry man admits to killing pregnant woman, murder trial hears

A man charged with murder at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin has admitted killing the victim, though he maintains the killing does not constitute murder. Stephen Cahoon, aged 42 and with an address in Derry, Northern Ireland, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Jean Teresa Quigley at Cornshell Fields in Derry on 26 July 2008. Ms Quigley, aged 30, was pregnant with Mr Cahoon's child at the time. The prosecution outlined that the couple met in March 2008 and their relationship deteriorated by July. The court heard evidence regarding text messages between them, witness accounts of disturbances on the night in question, and forensic findings including bloodstains matching Ms Quigley on a T-shirt recovered from Mr Cahoon's flat. Post mortem evidence indicated Ms Quigley died from manual strangulation. Mr Cahoon was located in Donegal Town on 5 August, where he told gardaí he was the person being sought. The defence acknowledged the killing but disputed the murder charge. The trial continues.