Courts / Limerick / Report

DNA of deceased and one murder accused on screwdriver, trial hears

Summary

During a Central Criminal Court hearing, forensic scientist Sandra McGrath presented DNA evidence linking the deceased, Shane Murphy, and one of the accused, Ger Hogan, to a screwdriver found at the murder scene. The screwdriver, a standard Phillips head with a black and yellow handle, bore blood stains on its tip, along its length, and on the handle. McGrath's DNA profiles matched both Hogan and Murphy, with a one‑in‑a‑billion chance of the samples originating from an unknown person. Additional blood stains from a serrated steak knife and from Dylan Hayes's coat and trousers also matched Murphy's DNA. CCTV footage showed Hogan visiting a local Centra on the day before the murder, purchasing alcohol, and returning the next day. The trial, with a jury of five women and seven men, continued under Justice Patrick McCarthy. Ger Hogan pleaded not guilty. Dylan Hayes pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: DNA of deceased and one murder accused on screwdriver, trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Shane Murphy at The Grove, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick on April 30, 2015. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 30, 2015 Other
• Wednesday April 29 Other
• 2017-05-08 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• House-party murderers fail in appeal
• House party murder a 'classic case' of joint enterprise, appeal told
• Pair move to appeal convictions for murdering man at house party
• Conviction for violent rural burglary is quashed on appeal
• Men appeal convictions for violent rural burglaries
• Murder trial jury ask judge about available verdicts

Read the original CNI report