Courts / Wicklow / Report

Anne Shortall knew she was not pregnant, GP tells murder trial

Summary

Anne Shortall, aged 47, died on Good Friday 3 April 2015 after being struck nine times on the head and having her airways blocked with duct tape. The State Pathologist, Professor Marie Cassidy, examined her body on 7 April 2015 and found no skull fractures but a fractured jaw and swollen brain. She concluded the cause of death was blunt‑force trauma to the head and airway obstruction. The accused, Roy Webster, 40, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. He was alleged to have beaten Shortall after she threatened to expose his affair unless he paid her £6,500 for an abortion. Dr Geraldine O'Kelly, Shortall's GP, testified that she was not pregnant, a fact confirmed by a gynaecological test. The trial is proceeding before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven men and four women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Anne Shortall knew she was not pregnant, GP tells murder trial. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Anne Shortall (47) on Good Friday April 3, 2015 at The Murrough, Co Wicklow. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• Friday April 3, 2015 Other
• April 7, 2015 Other
• January 12, 2015 Other
• March 16 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-03-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report