Paula Farrell's murder charge put to jury over provocation

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

Paula Farrell's murder charge was put to the jury at the Central Criminal Court, reported on 26 March 2020. She had pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to the manslaughter of Wayne McQuillan at her Drogheda home on New Year's Day 2014.

The judge told jurors to consider whether an alleged sexual assault caused a sudden loss of self-control, and whether Farrell intended to kill or cause serious injury. The jury was also directed to assess the effect of alcohol and the evidence that McQuillan suffered four stab wounds.