Courts / Cork / Report

Murder accused wanted deceased "all to himself", jury hears

Date
2017-05-17

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, Darren Murphy, 40, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Olivia Dunlea, 36, but admitted to killing her. The prosecution, represented by senior counsel Thomas Creed, argued that Murphy was Dunlea's boyfriend and that he wanted to be with her "24 hours a day", describing the relationship as suffocating. Ann Power, Dunlea's sister, testified that she felt Murphy wanted her sister all to himself and that he was "besotted" with her. Power recounted a night‑time call from Dunlea that she could not answer, and that Murphy told her the house was on fire and shouted at her to "fuck off". Witnesses described a tense taxi ride from the Rochestown Inn to Dunlea's home, where Murphy appeared upset. Garda John Forde reported that Dunlea's body lay face down in a double bed, with two separate fires at the house that were unrelated.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused wanted deceased "all to himself", jury hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Olivia Dunlea (36) at Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, Co Cork on February 17 2013 but has admitted killing her. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 17 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
Saturday, February 16, 2013 Other
2017-05-17 Publication

Why: I was concerned because it wouldn't be like Olivia to ring in the middle of the night. CNI source report

Case subjects

Darren Murphy

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Olivia Dunlea (36) at Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, Co Cork on February 17 2013 but has admitted killing her (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty