Courts / Sligo / Report

Accused admits strangling girlfriend

Date
2017-07-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Sligo

County
Sligo

Summary

Oisin Conroy, 34, is standing trial at the Central Criminal Court before Mr Justice Tony Hunt, having pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering Natalie McGuinness (23) by reason of insanity. The prosecution alleges that Conroy strangled Ms McGuinness at The Mews, Mail Coach Road, Sligo, on October 28, 2015. During the opening of the case, Ms Tara Burns SC stated that the defence does not contest the prosecution evidence regarding the events of that day. The jury will hear evidence that Conroy admitted to strangling his girlfriend during a 999 call and to Gardaí at the scene. Ms McGuinness was found unresponsive and naked; she was pronounced dead at the hospital. Chief State Pathologist Professor Marie Cassidy attributed the death to compression of the neck and strangulation, noting no stab wounds or significant bleeding injuries. Conroy sustained a significant head injury, which he indicated he caused himself with a knife. Defence counsel Mr Brendan Grehan SC accepted that Conroy caused the death by strangulation and that the arrest and detention were lawful. The sole issue in the trial is the accused's mental state, with expert evidence from two consultant psychiatrists expected to support the insanity defence. The trial continues.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Accused admits strangling girlfriend. Charges or matters: murdering Natalie McGuinness (23) at The Mews, Mail Coach Road in Sligo on October 28, 2015; murdering Ms McGuinness by reason of insanity. Procedural stage: trial

When:

October 28, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2017-07-06 Publication

Case subjects

Oisin Conroy

Accused

Charges: murdering Natalie McGuinness (23) at The Mews, Mail Coach Road in Sligo on October 28, 2015; murdering Ms McGuinness by reason of insanity (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty