Courts / Wicklow / Report

Murder accused told gardai that deceased followed her for years

Summary

Marta Herda, 29, of Arklow, was charged with the murder of 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsas on 26 March 2013 after he was driven into a harbour and drowned. In her first Garda statements, read to the Central Criminal Court on the fifth day of the trial, Herda said she could no longer tolerate Orsas, who had followed her for two years, texted her, and claimed to love her. She described how he had followed her to work, to her friends' homes, and even to a playground, and how she had felt threatened and depressed. Herda claimed that she drove the car into the water to stop the situation, stating she knew he could not swim. The trial heard testimony from Garda Anthony Crehan, Dr Donal Bailey, and Nurse Claire Best, and continues before Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Murder accused told gardai that deceased followed her for years. Charges or matters: the murder of 31-year-old Csaba Orsas on March 26, 2013; murdering the Hungarian at South Quay, Arklow. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• March 26, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2016-07-11 Publication

Why: She said a friend had spoken to the deceased man's brother in order to keep the deceased away from her and that she hadn't answered his calls for the last three months. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Trial Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report