Courts / Limerick / Report

Murder accused told his mother he choked pensioner with sweeping brush

Summary

In a 2014 Limerick murder case, 21‑year‑old Christopher McNamara pleaded not guilty to the killing of 71‑year‑old James Boyce. McNamara's mother, Pauline Whelan, testified that her son admitted to choking Boyce with a sweeping brush handle, though he denied harming the man. She recounted overhearing him on the phone with Boyce and later claiming to have robbed building sites for a new television. Pathologist Marie Therese Cassidy described Boyce's fatal neck injuries as resulting from an assault with a long striking edge, noting tramline bruises and multiple laryngeal fractures. The trial was proceeding before Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan with a jury of seven men and five women, and McNamara remained not guilty at the time of the report.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told his mother he choked pensioner with sweeping brush. Charges or matters: the murder of James Boyce (71) at St Munchins Street, St Mary's Park in Limerick between March 6 2011 and March 7 2011. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 6 2011 Other
• March 7 2011 Other
• Sunday March 6th Other
• March 8th 2011 Incident
• 2014-01-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report