Courts / Cork / Report

Cork murder accused cried and admitted stabbing partner, trial hears

Date
2017-05-18

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

Darren Murphy, aged 36, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Olivia Dunlea, 36, in Passage West, Cork, on 17 February 2013. He admitted to stabbing her in the back of the neck after a heated argument, but his plea of guilty to manslaughter was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Gardaí interviewed him the day after the body was found in her burning home. He claimed he had been drinking with Ms Dunlea at the Rochestown Inn, that a dispute arose when she mentioned another man, and that he "snapped" and stabbed her. He also said he set the house on fire to prevent her children from finding her body. The trial was scheduled to continue before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of seven men and five women.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cork murder accused cried and admitted stabbing partner, trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of Olivia Dunlea (36) at Pembroke Crescent, Passage West, Co Cork on February 17, 2013; her manslaughter but his plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 17, 2013 Other
February 18, 2013 Incident
2017-05-18 Publication

Why: " He told gardai he "snapped" after she told him to go home because another man was coming to see her. 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; her manslaughter but his plea was not accepted by the Director of Public Prosecutions (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty