Courts / Wicklow / Report
Waitress did not deliberately drive "man who loved her" into deep harbour, murder appeal lawyers submit
Summary
Marta Herda, a 30‑year‑old Polish waitress, was convicted of murder after she drove a Volkswagen Passat into a deep harbour in Arklow on 26 March 2013, causing the drowning of 31‑year‑old Hungarian man Csaba Orsos. The Central Criminal Court found her guilty and imposed a mandatory life sentence on 28 July 2016. Herda escaped through the driver's window, but Orsos's body was recovered on a nearby beach. A post‑mortem confirmed drowning as the cause of death, not injuries from the crash. Herda's defence argued the incident was an accident, citing her lack of intent, language barriers, and the absence of evidence of deliberate action. The prosecution maintained that she deliberately drove into the water, knowing Orsos could not swim. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on her appeal, which challenges the conviction on grounds of recklessness, alleged confessions, and the judge's instructions to the jury. Marta Herda pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Waitress did not deliberately drive "man who loved her" into deep harbour, murder appeal lawyers submit. Charges or matters: the murder of 31-year-old Hungarian man Csaba Orsos but a jury at the Central Criminal Court found her guilty and she was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on July 28, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Found guilty
When:
- March 26, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 28, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-07-19 Publication
Why: She was very articulate, Mr Grehan said, and it was difficult to write down everything she said because of the "manner of her delivery". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the murder of 31-year-old Hungarian man Csaba Orsos but a jury at the Central Criminal Court found her guilty and she was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on July 28, 2016 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Found guilty
Outcome: Found guilty; Herda had pleaded not guilty to the murder of 31-year-old Hungarian man Csaba Orsos but a jury at the Central Criminal Court found her guilty and she was given the mandatory life sentence by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy on July 28, 2016.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- The Central Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Roads offender caught driving while banned
- Solicitor challenges order that he pay €500 to the court 'poor box'
- Woman who committed multiple offences while on bail gets max sentence
- ESB denies operating 'blacklist' in former lineman's discrimination claim
- 'Grotesque' murderer Daniel Murtagh withdraws appeal in Nadine Lott case
- Addict pulled knife on man who drove him to buy crack, hijacked his car
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request