Courts / Limerick / Report

Man goes on trial charged with murdering pensioner with sweeping brush

Date
2014-01-13

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Limerick

Summary

A 21‑year‑old Limerick man, Christopher McNamara, is on trial at the Central Criminal Court for the murder of 71‑year‑old James Boyce, who lived on St Munchins Street. The prosecution alleges that McNamara visited Boyce on the night of 6 March 2011 and again after midnight, and that he killed him by striking him repeatedly with a sweeping brush, delivering a fatal blow to the neck. A post‑mortem confirmed multiple blows to the neck. Boyce had kept a large amount of cash in his bedroom, which the prosecutor says McNamara stole. The jury heard a neighbour's testimony that Boyce's curtains were drawn the morning after his death, and that CCTV footage will be shown. The trial, presided over by Mr Justice Gareth Sheehan, is expected to last two weeks. The accused has pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man goes on trial charged with murdering pensioner with sweeping brush. Charges or matters: the murder of James Boyce at St Munchins Street, St Mary's Park in Limerick between March 6 2011 and March 7 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When: