Courts / Cavan / Report

Witness says fire burning at murder accused's house day after alleged victims went missing

Summary

A witness at the Central Criminal Court has testified that a fire was burning at a house in Mountnugent, County Meath, the day after two men went missing in April 2014. Vytautis Bitaris told the court he was present at Patricks Cottage on the morning of April 23, 2014, when he observed the fire near the property's outbuildings. Later that evening, the witness said he assisted in loading four large blocks into a vehicle belonging to Neville van der Westhuizen, the boyfriend of Ruth Lawrence, who denies murdering Anthony Keegan and Eoin O'Connor. The trial heard that the two men were last seen on April 22, 2014. A second witness, Marzena Miduchoska, testified that van der Westhuizen asked her to store two tool boxes at her home around midnight in April 2014, stating the items would only remain for one day. When Ms Miduchoska opened one box the following day, she observed foil-wrapped items and a device resembling a tattoo implement. The trial continues before Mr Justice Tony Hunt. Anthony Keegan pleaded not guilty. Eoin O'Connor pleaded not guilty. Ruth Lawrence pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness says fire burning at murder accused's house day after alleged victims went missing. Charges or matters: murdering Anthony Keegan (33) and Eoin O'Connor (32) at an unknown location within the State on a date between April 22, 2014 and May 26, 2014, both dates inclusive. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• April 22, 2014 Other
• May 26, 2014 Other
• April 23 2014 Other
• April 23 Other
• April 20 Other
• January 2014 Other
• April 2014 Other
• May 6 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
• April 22 2014 Other
• 2025-10-24 Publication

Why: Mr Bitaris agreed he had told gardai that he knew on the evening of April 23 that "this was something more serious than cleaning" because the phone would not stop ringing in Patrick's Cottage. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report