Ross Outram pleads not guilty to murder charge

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

Ross Outram has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to murdering Paddy Lyons, a 90-year-old retired farmer.

The alleged murder took place at Loughleagh, Ballysaggart, Lismore, Co Waterford, at an unknown time between 23 and 26 February 2017.

The proceedings were reported on 20 February 2019. The trial was continuing before Mr Justice Paul Coffey and a jury.

Detective Garda Joe Wyse said photographs he took on 28 February showed a mark on a knuckle of Mr Outram’s left hand, bruising and a scrape to the inside of his left thigh, and a cut on a knuckle of his right hand.

Detective Garda Martin Keohane described blood staining at Mr Lyons’ home. Detective Garda Shay Keevans said a damaged blue Volkswagen Passat was concealed behind Mr Outram’s house and a grey hoodie with possible blood stains was found in his bedroom. He said he later became aware that Mr Lyons’ DNA was on the hoodie.

In his opening address, prosecuting counsel John O’Kelly SC said the jury would hear evidence that Mr Outram told gardaí he repeatedly struck Mr Lyons, who had the use of only one arm, in self-defence.