Courts / Laois / Report

Discovery of Nanny's body in barrel the "saddest and most gruesome discovery made"

Summary

A trial is ongoing at the Central Criminal Court regarding the murder of Aoife Phelan (30), whose body was discovered buried in a barrel in Capoley Portlaoise between 25 October and 7 November 2012. Robert Corbet of Sheffield Cross County Laois is accused of the murder but pleaded not guilty, though he admitted to manslaughter earlier this week. The plea of manslaughter was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sergeant Liam Mulhall testified that gardai found evidence of a disturbance near Corbet's home on 6 November 2012, leading to an excavation where a barrel containing Phelan's remains was discovered. The discovery was described as 'the saddest and most gruesome discovery made' by Conor Devally SC defending. Betty Phelan, the mother of the deceased, stated that concerns arose when her daughter did not answer her phone on 26 October 2012, which was out of character for her. It was confirmed that Phelan had made a complaint to gardai in 2005 following an incident of non-consensual sex, which had deeply upset her. The trial continues before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan and a jury of three women and nine men.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Discovery of Nanny's body in barrel the "saddest and most gruesome discovery made". Charges or matters: the murder of Aoife Phelan (30) between 25 October and 7 November 2012 but admitted to manslaughter earlier this week. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 25 October Hearing Or Sentence
• 7 November 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• November 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2014-05-14 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report