Courts / Laois / Report

Aoife Phelan repeatedly struck before her body dumped, court hears

Summary

The trial of Robert Corbet (25) of Sheffield Cross County Laois, charged with the murder of Aoife Phelan (30) between 25 October and 7 November 2012, commenced at the Central Criminal Court. Corbet pleaded not guilty to the murder charge but admitted to manslaughter, a plea not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. The prosecution alleges that Corbet met Phelan at a nightclub, engaged in sexual contact without intercourse, and later repeatedly struck her before disposing of her body in an oil barrel at Capoley, Portlaoise. The cause of death is stated as asphyxia with blunt force trauma to the head and chest. The prosecution claims Corbet brought Phelan to his garage, restrained her, and disposed of her body. Garda Louise Young detailed that Phelan's father, Michael Phelan, reported her missing on 26 October 2012. Her mobile phone and handbag were later found in Corbet's vehicle. Corbet's statement to gardai indicated he had no sexual intercourse with Phelan and denied being the father of her unborn child. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, continues with a jury of three women and nine men, with CCTV footage to be presented.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Aoife Phelan repeatedly struck before her body dumped, court hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Aoife Phelan (30) between 25 October and 7 November 2012 but admitted to manslaughter yesterday. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 25 October Hearing Or Sentence
• 7 November 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• October 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• June 2012 Other
• 2014-05-13 Publication

Why: The accused had said that when asked if he would be interested in having a relationship with her he had 'shut it down very fast because of the age difference. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• ESB worker too late to pursue claim seeking €42k in alleged unpaid overtime
• Balaclava attacker claims car search breached his rights
• Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
• Mosque bomb attack accused argues he can't get a fair trial
• Judge should have convicted drivers caught like 'fish in a barrel' in 'unjust speed zone'
• Seven years for sex offender who repeatedly recorded himself assaulting sleeping woman

Read the original CNI report