Courts / Cork / Report

Garda denies refusing to allow murder suspect see a solicitor

Date
2017-05-25
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Cork
County
Cork

Summary

In a 2017 court hearing, Detective Garda James Nagle denied allegations that he had refused to allow murder suspect Darren Murphy to see a solicitor and that he had instructed Murphy on what to say during his interview about his girlfriend's death. Nagle said he had followed standard procedure, asking suspects if they were ready to proceed before questioning, but admitted he did not ask that question at the start of Murphy's final interview. He denied knowing Murphy was unwilling to proceed and insisted that if Murphy had requested a solicitor he would have been granted access. Nagle also denied that Sergeant Anthony Harrington had told Murphy what to say or that he had been told there was no time to see a solicitor. The judge postponed the case to May 30 to resolve an evidence issue. Darren Murphy pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Garda denies refusing to allow murder suspect see a solicitor. Charges or matters: the murder of Olivia Dunlea at her home in Pembroke Crescent on February 17, 2013; her manslaughter but his plea was not accepted and he is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: He told Mr Delaney that he did not ask that question at the start of the final interview with Mr Murphy, but denied this was because he knew Mr Murphy was not happy to proceed. CNI source report

Case subjects

Darren Murphy

Defendant

Charges: the murder of Olivia Dunlea at her home in Pembroke Crescent on February 17, 2013; her manslaughter but his plea was not accepted and he is on trial at the Central Criminal Court (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
  • Cork
  • Pembroke Crescent
Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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