Graham Dwyer on trial for Elaine O’Hara murder

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

Graham Dwyer’s trial for the murder of Elaine O’Hara began in Court 13 of the Criminal Courts of Justice in Dublin on 22 January 2015. The proceedings were reported on 23 January 2015. Mr Justice Tony Hunt was presiding.

Sean Guerin SC, leading the prosecution, outlined plans to present a substantial book of evidence. The prosecution alleged that text messages sent by Graham Dwyer to Elaine O’Hara described an unusual sexual relationship involving sadomasochistic acts. Mr Guerin claimed that acts of stabbing were committed by Graham Dwyer.

The report said Elaine O’Hara was discharged from a Lucan hospital at noon on 22 August 2012, after spending several weeks there as a psychiatric patient.

The court was told that some messages showed Elaine O’Hara saying she no longer wanted to be stabbed. Mr Guerin said the messages became threats that she would be stabbed to death if she did not help the sender find a victim.

Mr Justice Tony Hunt told jurors to consider only the evidence, reminding them that the prosecution bore the burden of proof and everyone was presumed innocent until proven guilty. The trial was continuing on 23 January 2015.