Darren Murphy pleads not guilty to murder of Olivia Dunlea

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Darren Murphy pleaded not guilty to the murder of Olivia Dunlea at her home in Pembroke Crescent, Cork. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but that plea was not accepted.

His trial was continuing at the Central Criminal Court before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury. The proceedings were reported on 24 May 2017.

Detective Garda Seán Minihan told the court that he interviewed Murphy at Togher Garda Station on 18 February 2013, the day after Dunlea’s body was found by firefighters in her burning home. Murphy described arguing with her before stabbing her. He later said he did not mean to kill her.

The report said the trial would continue on Thursday. It recorded no verdict or later outcome.