Courts / Louth / Report

Man fatally stabbed by partner could have survived with prompt medical attention, trial hears

Date
2020-03-06

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Drogheda

County
Louth

Summary

In a murder trial, Paula Farrell, 47, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter for the unlawful killing of Wayne 'Quilly' McQuillan, 30, who was stabbed at her Drogheda home on New Year's Day 2014. Dr Michael Curtis, former Deputy State Pathologist, described four stab wounds, including a fatal one to the left subclavian vein and lung. He noted the wounds were close and parallel, suggesting rapid, successive strikes, and said the injuries could have been survivable with prompt medical intervention. Dr Maria Murillo testified that Farrell was intoxicated and unfit for questioning at 7 am on New Year's Day, having been drinking since 3 pm the previous evening. The court heard that Farrell had been treated for schizophrenia and had been drinking daily. The trial continues before Mr Justice Paul McDermott.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man fatally stabbed by partner could have survived with prompt medical attention, trial hears. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to manslaughter for the unlawful killing of Wayne 'Quilly' McQuillan (30) at Ms Farrell's home on New Year's Day 2014. Procedural stage: trial

When:

January 2 Hearing Or Sentence
New Year's Day 2014 Incident
New Year's Eve Other
New Year's Day Other
2020-03-06 Publication

Why: He told Caroline Biggs SC, for Ms Farrell, that because the two shoulder wounds were grouped so close together, and parallel, it would suggest that these wounds were the result of "rapid, successive strikes, if I can use that word 'strike'". CNI source report

Case subjects

Paula Farrell

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to manslaughter for the unlawful killing of Wayne 'Quilly' McQuillan (30) at Ms Farrell's home on New Year's Day 2014 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty