Courts / Wicklow / Report

Witness saw woman arguing on phone, murder trial hears

Summary

During the murder trial of Marta Herda, a 29‑year‑old Polish waitress, the court heard that a witness, Paul Hickey, saw Herda arguing on the phone in a car early that morning. Hickey described seeing a Volkswagen Passat with a driver who appeared animated and engaged in a heated conversation. He noted the car's slow movement and that it did not overtake a cyclist, suggesting the driver was still on the phone. Hickey also reported that the car had later been pulled from the harbour where the victim, 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsas, was found drowned. The jury also heard that a postman discovered Orsas's front door open about two hours after the car entered the water. Garda Michael Hall testified that Herda had two mobile phones; the first was used for most contact with Orsas, including a final call at 5.35 am lasting two minutes.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Witness saw woman arguing on phone, murder trial hears. Charges or matters: the murder of 31-year-old Csaba Orsas around 6am on March 26, 2013; murdering the Hungarian at South Quay, Arklow. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 26, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-07-06 Publication

Why: He explained that this was not something he would usually notice on his way to work. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

Related court reports

• Roads offender caught driving while banned
• Solicitor challenges order that he pay €500 to the court 'poor box'
• Woman who committed multiple offences while on bail gets max sentence
• ESB denies operating 'blacklist' in former lineman's discrimination claim
• 'Grotesque' murderer Daniel Murtagh withdraws appeal in Nadine Lott case
• Addict pulled knife on man who drove him to buy crack, hijacked his car

Read the original CNI report