Graham Dwyer defence concludes closing speech in murder trial

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

Graham Dwyer, 42, is charged with murdering Elaine O’Hara, 36, on 22 August 2012. He has pleaded not guilty. The proceedings were reported on 20 March 2015.

Ms O’Hara’s remains were found in forestry on Killakee Mountain, Rathfarnham, on 13 September 2013. Defence counsel Remy Farrell SC concluded his closing speech on 20 March 2015.

Mr Farrell told the jury that the prosecution case contained a “gaping chasm”. He argued that there was no evidence establishing the cause of death and that the jury had to consider whether a murder had occurred. He said an acquittal would be unpopular, but urged jurors to retain the presumption of innocence. Even if they rejected the defence case, he said, they still had to consider whether the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Judge Tony Hunt told the jury that he would address them on Monday. He said Mr Dwyer had no previous criminal convictions but had been presented in a “very harsh light”, and warned jurors against allowing that presentation to affect their rational assessment.