Courts / Wicklow / Report
Murder accused broke down when wife confronted him about missing woman, trial hears
Summary
A man accused of murdering a woman told gardaí he struck her with a hammer and concealed her body in a workshop after his wife confronted him about his connection to the missing person, the Central Criminal Court has heard. Roy Webster, aged 40, from Co Wicklow has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter in relation to Anne Shortall, who went missing on 3 April 2015 in Co Wicklow. The State did not accept his manslaughter plea. Detective Sergeant Fergus O'Brien gave evidence that when Mrs Webster questioned her husband at their home on 7 April about the missing woman, he became emotional and admitted striking Ms Shortall with a hammer. He subsequently revealed that the body was located in their workshop. Mr Webster was arrested on suspicion of murder following gardaí's discovery of human remains at the premises. The trial continues before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused broke down when wife confronted him about missing woman, trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Anne Shortall (47) on April 3, 2015 at The Murrough, Co Wicklow. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- April 3, 2015 Other
- Monday April 6 Other
- December 20 Other
- April 7 Other
- Christmas Other
- 2017-03-10 Publication
Why: " Mr Webster told Det Gda Martin that he didn't believe her because he had so much alcohol on the night that he didn't ejaculate. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Anne Shortall (47) on April 3, 2015 at The Murrough, Co Wicklow (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- voluntary statement at Wicklow Garda Station
- Wicklow
- Fergus O'Brien of Wicklow Garda Station
Topics
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