Courts / Waterford / Report

Paddy Lyons investigation "tunnel-visioned", murder accused's defence team say

Date
2019-02-28

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Waterford

Summary

In the Central Criminal Court, Ross Outram, 28, pleaded not guilty to the murder of 90‑year‑old Paddy Lyons. The jury heard that Outram claimed to have suffered lumps on his head after being struck by Lyons with a walking stick and shovel, and that he had taken up to 100 Xanax tablets that day. Gardaí at Dungarvan station did not photograph the head lumps, nor did they take a urine sample, as four days had passed. The defence argued the investigation was "tunnel‑visioned" and did not examine the head injuries. The prosecution presented evidence that Lyons suffered multiple blows to the head and neck, and that his body was found slumped in his armchair. DNA from Lyons was found on the shovel, but no DNA from Outram was found in Lyons' house. The trial was set to continue the next day.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Paddy Lyons investigation "tunnel-visioned", murder accused's defence team say. Charges or matters: murdering Mr Lyons at Loughleagh, Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co Waterford, at a time unknown between February 23 and 26, 2017. Procedural stage: trial

When:

February 23 Other
February 28 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-02-28 Publication

Why: Supt Pettit explained that twelve areas of blood were sampled at the scene in Ballysaggart and all contained the deceased's DNA profile. CNI source report

Case subjects

Ross Outram

Defendant

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

Plea: Not guilty