Courts / Waterford / Report

Murder trial witness did not realise pensioner (90) was dead

Date
2019-02-19

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

In a murder trial at the Central Criminal Court, Ross Outram (28) is accused of killing 90‑year‑old Paddy Lyons in Waterford. Cathleen Kiely, a witness who has sold second‑hand clothes for over 30 years, testified that she visited Lyons' home on 24 February 2017, arriving with her husband around 4 p.m. She found the gate closed but without a bolt, entered the house, and saw Lyons sitting in his chair, looking at the door. Kiely claimed she thought Lyons was unconscious and swollen, and that there was black on the ground, but she did not realise he was dead. She left after a few seconds, told her husband, and later reported the situation to neighbours. The prosecution alleges Outram told Gardaí that he struck Lyons, who had only one arm, in self‑defence. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury of eight men and four women. Ross Outram pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder trial witness did not realise pensioner (90) was dead. Charges or matters: murdering the retired farmer at Loughleagh, Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co Waterford, at a time unknown between February 23 and 26, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 23 Other
February 24, 2017 Other
February 25 Other
February 24 Other
2019-02-19 Publication

Why: The witness explained that Mr Lyons did not move or respond when she called him name. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ross Outram

Accused

Charges: murdering the retired farmer at Loughleagh, Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co Waterford, at a time unknown between February 23 and 26, 2017 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty