Courts / Limerick / Report

Jury begins deliberating in "body in canal" murder trial

Date
2018-11-05

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberating in the trial of Paul Wells Senior, 50, of Barnamore Park, Finglas. Wells is charged with murdering 33-year-old Kenneth O'Brien at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January 2016. While Wells admitted to shooting O'Brien and dismembering his body, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. The defence contends that the killing occurred during a scuffle after O'Brien allegedly asked Wells to murder his partner, Eimear Dunne, to facilitate a move to Australia. Wells claims he panicked and used a chainsaw to dispose of the body in the Grand Canal. During jury charging, Mr Justice Paul McDermott outlined seven coincidences cited by defence counsel Michael O'Higgins SC to support the conspiracy theory, including a disabled CCTV system, a cancelled birthday party, and missing passports. The prosecution, conversely, argued the killing was premeditated. The jury retired to consider their verdict shortly after noon on Friday and will resume deliberations tomorrow morning.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury begins deliberating in "body in canal" murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering the 33-year-old at his home in Barnamore Park on 15th or 16th January, 2016. Procedural stage: trial

When:

16th January Hearing Or Sentence
2018-11-05 Publication

Why: The judge explained that the defence case was that these coincidences supported the proposition that there was a conspiracy to murder Ms Dunne. Defence account reported by CNI