Courts / Louth / Report

Murder accused denies lying to jury about alleged rape attempt

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Paula Farrell, 46, denied that she lied to the jury about an alleged rape attempt by her boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, whom she stabbed to death in 2014. She had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter. During cross‑examination, Farrell said she and McQuillan were likely arguing over a trivial matter and that she was not letting him dominate her when she stabbed him. She also claimed he had tried to have sex with her and had begun strangling her before she went to the kitchen for a knife. Farrell admitted she had not made these statements in earlier Garda interviews or in consultations with female doctors, and that the State first learned of the allegation in May of the following year. The prosecution, led by Gerard Clarke SC, will continue cross‑examining her tomorrow.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused denies lying to jury about alleged rape attempt. Charges or matters: murdering Wayne McQuillan, but guilty to his manslaughter on New Year's morning in 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• New Year's morning Other
• 2019-07-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report