Joseph Hillen goes on trial for taxi driver murder

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

Joseph Hillen, of Forkhill, Co Armagh, has gone on trial charged with the murder of taxi driver Martin Mulligan in Dundalk, Co Louth. He has pleaded not guilty. The proceedings were reported on 2 October 2018.

Prosecuting counsel Patrick Treacy told the jury that Mr Mulligan, 53, died from two stab wounds. His body was found at Carn More, Dundalk, on 28 September 2015. Mr Treacy said Mr Hillen’s DNA was found in blood on the road, on Mr Mulligan’s jumper and on a glove nearby.

The report said Mr Hillen initially denied involvement and could not explain how his DNA was at the scene. In further statements in July 2018, he said he had chased Mr Mulligan because he believed he was illegally dumping, and claimed a struggle followed. He said he took a knife from Mr Mulligan and struck him twice while being punched. He told gardaí he had no intention of killing him and was trying to protect himself.

Defence counsel Brendan Grehan said it was accepted that Mr Hillen caused the knife wounds, but his intent would be the issue for the jury. The trial was continuing.