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'I couldn't recognise it was Nadine': mother tells murder trial of moment she found daughter

Date
2021-07-20
Stage
Trial
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

During the murder trial of Daniel Murtagh, Nadine Lott's mother, Claire Lott, recounted the moment she found her daughter lying on her back in the kitchen, gurgling and gasping for air. She described how she attempted mouth‑to‑mouth resuscitation, but the effort was ineffective as Nadine could not inflate her chest. Lott also testified that Nadine had suffered severe blunt‑force trauma and stab wounds in a sustained attack by Murtagh, her former partner, in their Arklow home. The prosecution alleged that these injuries were so serious that Nadine never regained consciousness and died three days later in St Vincent's Hospital. Murtagh, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter of the 30‑year‑old Lott. The trial, held at the Central Criminal Court, continues before a jury and Judge Michael MacGrath. The case is expected to last two weeks.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'I couldn't recognise it was Nadine': mother tells murder trial of moment she found daughter. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old ex-partner Ms Lott at her apartment in St Mary's Court, Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 17, 2019. Procedural stage: trial

When:

Why: "She explained that there was a disturbance in the house and Daniel Murtagh had just left the scene and the female inside had bad injuries," he said. CNI source report

Case subjects

Claire Lott

Accused

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old ex-partner Ms Lott at her apartment in St Mary's Court, Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Daniel Murtagh

Defendant

Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old ex-partner Ms Lott at her apartment in St Mary's Court, Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 17, 2019 (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Central Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Facility
  • St Vincent's Hospital
Residence

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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