Courts / Cork / Report

Cause of death 'unascertained', Marie Cassidy tells cold case murder trial

Date
2023-07-31

Stage
Trial

Primary locality
Cork

County
Cork

Summary

The cold case murder trial of Noel Long, 74, who has pleaded not guilty to the alleged murder of 54-year-old Nora Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981, continued before Mr Justice Paul McDermott. Former State Pathologist Dr Marie Cassidy, called by the defence, testified that the cause of Mrs Sheehan's death remains unascertained. While she agreed with the prosecution that death by asphyxia via two specific methods could not be proved or disproved, she stated there was no evidence of strangulation. Dr Cassidy noted the absence of petechial haemorrhage and ligature marks, suggesting the victim may have died elsewhere before her body was transported to Shippool Woods in Cork. She indicated that injuries to the head and face were consistent with an assault but unlikely to be fatal on their own. The prosecution argued the death resulted from foul play, citing the victim's naked and bruised state. Dr Cassidy acknowledged that while smothering is difficult to sustain, it could not be excluded. The matter was adjourned, with the trial set to continue before the jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Cause of death 'unascertained', Marie Cassidy tells cold case murder trial. Charges or matters: murdering 54-year-old Mrs Sheehan between June 6 and June 12, 1981 at an unknown place within the State. Procedural stage: trial

When:

June 6 Other
June 12, 1981 Other
June 13, 1981 Other
September 2010 Other
May 2013 Other
June 12 Incident
June 7 Incident
2023-07-31 Publication

Why: Dr Cassidy further agreed that Dr Coakley had visited the scene on two occasions because of the peculiar way the body was found. CNI source report