Courts / Wicklow / Report

Woman found guilty of murdering colleague by driving him to sea

Date
2016-07-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Arklow

County
Wicklow

Summary

In March 2013, 29‑year‑old Marta Herda drove her Volkswagen Passat through crash barriers at South Quay, Arklow, into a deep harbour. She had been arguing with her passenger, 31‑year‑old Csaba Orsos, who could not swim. The car entered the water, and Orsos drowned. A post‑mortem confirmed drowning, not crash injuries. Herda, a Polish waitress, pleaded not guilty and was tried at the Central Criminal Court. The jury found her guilty of murder by a 11‑to‑one majority. She was sentenced to life imprisonment. The case highlighted the argument between the couple, Herda's claim of wanting the situation to stop, and the fact that Orsos was in love with her. The trial did not address any subsequent appeals or further legal developments.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman found guilty of murdering colleague by driving him to sea. Charges or matters: murdering the Hungarian. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

March 26, 2013 Other
2016-07-28 Publication

Why: She later told a garda that he was dead because of his love for her. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 29-year-old

Convicted Person

Charges: murdering the Hungarian (Alleged Or Contested)

Plea: Not guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) A 29-year-old woman has been sentenced to life in prison for murdering the man who loved her by driving him into a deep harbour, where he drowned. Herda wept uncontrollably as Mr Justice McCarthy signalled for her to stand while he imposed the mandatory life sentence.