Courts / Waterford / Report
Facebook as a medium of information is "vulnerable and insecure", defence counsel tells jury in murder trial
Summary
In the murder trial of William Moran, a 20‑year‑old Waterford man charged with the 2012 killing of Martin Brophy, the jury was instructed that if they are satisfied that Moran assaulted Brophy in the manner described by Facebook messages, he is guilty of murder. Moran pleaded not guilty and is on trial at the Central Criminal Court. Prosecutor Michael Delaney highlighted Moran's admission of being at the scene and his alleged attempts to conceal evidence, noting swollen knuckles and Facebook messages sent on May 20 that could constitute admissions to murder. He also mentioned Gavin Walsh, who was present at the scene but is not on trial. Defence counsel Colman Cody argued that Facebook is a vulnerable medium, that evidence could be accessed by others, and urged a not‑guilty verdict. The judge began his charge to the jury.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Facebook as a medium of information is "vulnerable and insecure", defence counsel tells jury in murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering Martin Brophy (22) at the old Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) building between May 19 and May 21 2012; the charge and is currently on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- May 19 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 21 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 20th 2012 Other
- May 19th 2012 Incident
- February 17th Incident
- 2015-03-12 Publication
Case subjects
Applicant
Charges: murdering Martin Brophy (22) at the old Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) building between May 19 and May 21 2012; the charge and is currently on trial at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
- Connolly Place
- Waterford City
- Central Criminal Court
Topics
Social Media Stage Trial Violent Crime
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