Courts / Wicklow / Report

Woman who murdered man by driving him in to harbour to seek bail before appeal

Summary

Marta Herda, 29, was convicted of murder after driving a Volkswagen Passat into a deep harbour in Arklow on 26 March 2013, causing the drowning of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos. The Central Criminal Court found that Herda had driven the car through the crash barriers at South Quay, applied the handbrake before entering the water, and that the only open window was the driver's. Orsos's body was recovered from a nearby beach; a post‑mortem confirmed death by drowning, not by crash injuries. Herda pleaded not guilty, was found guilty by a jury, and received a mandatory life sentence on 28 July 2016. She has lodged an appeal and is seeking bail pending the appeal hearing, arguing a "discrete, clear ground" that could give her a strong chance of success. The bail application is scheduled for 5 April. The case remains at the appeal stage, with no further verdicts announced.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman who murdered man by driving him in to harbour to seek bail before appeal. Charges or matters: the Hungarian man's murder. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty

When:

• March 26, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 28, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 5 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-01-13 Publication

Why: She later told a garda that he was dead because of his love for her. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report