Courts / Dublin / Report

Aggravated burglary accused's DNA on wine bottle, trial hears

Summary

The trial of 22‑year‑old Grace Tormey, accused of assaulting a partially paralysed woman with a wine bottle during an aggravated burglary, heard that DNA from the bottle matched Tormey's. Tormey pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for the burglary at Rollins Villas, Sallynoggin, on 16 November 2012. The alleged victim, Lisa Lee, had suffered a stroke and was partially paralysed. Lee told prosecutor Gerardine Small that she could not hold the door and that Tormey and an unidentified man entered her bedroom, kicking and punching her. Lee said the attackers pulled out a knife and Tormey smashed a wine bottle over her head, also kicking, punching and pulling hair. Dr Linda Williams of Forensic Science Ireland analysed a blood sample from the bottle and found a mixed DNA sample. She stated it was highly likely, to a factor of one to a billion, that the DNA matched Tormey and Lee.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Aggravated burglary accused's DNA on wine bottle, trial hears. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary at Rollins Villas, Sallynoggin on November 16, 2012. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• November 16, 2012 Incident
• 2016-01-29 Publication

Why: She was lying on the ground during the attack because of her paralysis. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Trial

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Read the original CNI report