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Laois man accused of murdering Nanny took gardai "on a wild goose chase"
Summary
The Central Criminal Court trial of Robert Corbet, 25, accused of murdering Aoife Phelan, heard evidence that the defendant led gardai on a 'wild goose chase' to locations he falsely claimed were the scene of the crime. Corbet, from Sheffield Cross, Laois, has pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted to manslaughter. Detective Sergeant Brian Hanley of the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation testified that Corbet directed officers to a hard shoulder where he alleged the incident occurred, a journey the defence described as a 'voyage of fiction' intended to divert attention from the Corbet family property. The jury reviewed CCTV footage showing a truck dumping filling gravel at the site where Phelan's body was later discovered eight to ten feet underground. Garda Paul Wilson explained the footage depicted Corbet's jeep movements around the time of Phelan's disappearance and subsequent activity at the Capoley yard. Garda Eamon O'Connell detailed the excavation process, describing how he uncovered rubble, tyres, and eventually a metal drum containing Phelan's remains. The trial continues before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Laois man accused of murdering Nanny took gardai "on a wild goose chase". Charges or matters: the 30-year-old's murder; her murder. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- October 25th Incident
- November 7th Incident
- November 5th Incident
- November 6th Other
- November 6th 2012 Other
- 2014-05-16 Publication
Case subjects
Places mentioned
- Portlaoise. The Central Criminal Court
- Central Criminal Court
- Collier's Lane
Topics
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