Courts / Meath / Report

Murder accused told gardai he struck fatal blow only after deceased attacked him in chihuahua row

Date
2017-02-07

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Navan

County
Meath

Summary

In a murder case, Wayne Cluskey (25) and Josh Turner (24) pleaded not guilty to the killing of 27‑year‑old Christopher Nevin on 19 November 2015. Turner voluntarily appeared at Navan Garda station on 23 November, where he gave several interviews. In a second interview on 24 November he claimed he struck Nevin's fatal blow after Nevin attacked him with a hatchet during a dispute over a chihuahua. Turner said he had loaned Nevin a male dog for €250, and a disagreement arose when Nevin claimed the dog had gone missing and later that it was "shooting blanks." Turner described meeting Nevin at a friend's house on Tailteann Road, where Nevin allegedly approached him with a green hatchet. Turner said he took the hatchet from Nevin's hand and struck Nevin on the head with the blunt side, seeing blood but not realizing he was fighting for his life. The trial continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai he struck fatal blow only after deceased attacked him in chihuahua row. Charges or matters: the murder of 27-year-old Christopher Nevin at Tailteann Road, Navan on November 19, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When: