Courts / Dublin / Report

Judge warns murder trial witness after she threatens defence counsel

Date
2016-12-15

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Terence 'Terry' Connors, aged 42, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in the death of Peter Conroy, 27, who was stabbed at Palmerstown Lodge B&B on 9 June 2015. Professor Marie Cassidy testified that Conroy suffered four knife wounds, including one to the neck that severed a major artery. Connors also faced a not‑guilty plea for assaulting Elaine Blunt at the same address. During the trial, Blunt was warned by Judge Paul Butler that she could be removed and held if she did not behave after a confrontation with defence counsel Garnet Orange SC. Blunt testified that she had been at a wedding that night, that she had a fight with Connors' partner Brigid over stolen jeans, and that she saw Connors stab Conroy with a knife. The trial continues before Justice Butler and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Judge warns murder trial witness after she threatens defence counsel. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Peter Conroy (27) at Palmerstown Lodge B&B, Kennelsfort Road Lower, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on June 9, 2015; assaulting Elaine Blunt at the same address on the same date. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 9, 2015 Other
2016-12-15 Publication

Why: Mr Orange put it to her that the argument between her and Brigid was because Brigid had threatened to reveal what happened between Elaine and a young man at the wedding. CNI source report

Case subjects

Terry' Connors

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Peter Conroy (27) at Palmerstown Lodge B&B, Kennelsfort Road Lower, Palmerstown, Dublin 20 on June 9, 2015; assaulting Elaine Blunt at the same address on the same date (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty