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Murder accused takes to stand and tells jury she didn't intend to kill partner
Summary
In a Drogheda murder trial, 46‑year‑old Paula Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for stabbing partner Wayne McQuillan, 30, four times on New Year's morning 2014. She told the jury she did not intend to kill him, only to hurt him as he had hurt her, and expressed remorse, saying she missed him "so much". Farrell recounted a history of sexual abuse from age seven to fourteen, heavy drinking from age nineteen, and ongoing depression and anxiety. She described the night's events: an argument, McQuillan's alleged sexual advances, her strangulation attempt, and her subsequent stabbing of him twice at the kitchen door, with a fourth stab to the side. She claimed she was "numb" and "blank" when stabbing, and that she had not intended to kill him. The trial proceeded before Justice Carmel Stewart and a jury of four men and eight women.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Murder accused takes to stand and tells jury she didn't intend to kill partner. Charges or matters: murdering Wayne McQuillan (30), but guilty to his manslaughter by stabbing him four times on New Year's morning in 2014. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- January 1, 2014 Other
- New Year's morning Incident
- 2019-07-16 Publication
Why: "I thought I was schizophrenic because I was hearing voices and seeing things. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: murdering Wayne McQuillan (30), but guilty to his manslaughter by stabbing him four times on New Year's morning in 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- The Central Criminal Court
Topics
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