Courts / Louth / Report

Woman serving life for murder has conviction quashed on appeal

Summary

Paula Farrell, 44, had her murder conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal after a Central Criminal Court jury found her guilty of killing her partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, on 1 January 2014. The appeal argued that the trial judge wrongly excluded the partial defence of provocation, which could have been considered by the jury. The court noted that Farrell had claimed she was provoked by McQuillan's violence and that she had a history of alcohol‑induced psychosis and PTSD from alleged sexual abuse. The Court of Appeal ordered a retrial and remanded Farrell in custody. The case remains at the retrial stage, with no further outcome reported in the article. Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman serving life for murder has conviction quashed on appeal. Charges or matters: the murder of Wayne McQuillan (30) at her home on January 1, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• January 1, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• July 17, 2015 Adjournment
• 2018-06-20 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Appeal Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report