Courts / Louth / Report

Jury deliberating in murder trial of woman who claims boyfriend sexually assaulted her

Summary

The Central Criminal Court jury has begun deliberations on the murder trial of Paula Farrell, a 46‑year‑old from Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, who is charged with killing her 30‑year‑old boyfriend, Wayne McQuillan, on New Year's morning 2014. Farrell pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, admitting she stabbed McQuillan four times. She claims she was sexually abused as a child and that McQuillan had sexually assaulted and attempted to strangle her, provoking her. The prosecution argues she fabricated a rape claim to justify the killing, while the defence maintains no such excuse. A forensic psychiatrist testified that Farrell suffered post‑traumatic stress disorder from alleged child abuse, influencing her actions. The jury, consisting of eight women and four men, retired to deliberate and will resume on Monday morning. The case remains at the jury deliberation stage.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jury deliberating in murder trial of woman who claims boyfriend sexually assaulted her. Charges or matters: murdering 30-year-old Wayne McQuillan, but guilty to his manslaughter at that address on 1st January 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• 1st January 2014 Other
• New Year's morning Incident
• 2019-07-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
• Legal first sees miscarriage of justice certificate for IRA membership conviction quashed
• Garda murderer Brady's 'contempt' for trial with secret recording lands him with increased sentence
• Lorry driver who imported €1m in cannabis jailed for five years
• Lithuanian man admits engaging in terrorist plot to attack mosque
• Aaron Connolly gets date for retrial on Cameron Reilly murder

Read the original CNI report