Wayne Cluskey and Josh Turner plead not guilty to murder

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

Wayne Cluskey and Josh Turner have pleaded not guilty to murder at the Central Criminal Court. They are accused of killing Christopher Nevin at Tailteann Road, Navan, on 19 November 2015. The proceedings were reported on 1 February 2017.

Prosecuting counsel Michael O’Higgins SC opened the trial. He said the case arose from a dispute over breeding chihuahuas and alleged that both men had a joint plan to inflict serious injury or death. He said only one of three female dogs became pregnant, leading to a dispute over what benefit Josh Turner would receive.

Outlining the CCTV evidence the jury would hear, O’Higgins said Josh Turner spoke with Christopher Nevin before moving back with his arms up. He said Wayne Cluskey then began striking Christopher Nevin, who was struck with a hatchet and later died from his injuries. O’Higgins acknowledged that the accused had put forward their justification for what happened and did not dispute being the men shown in the attack.

The report said both accused left in a car and later went voluntarily to Navan Garda Station. It said the trial would continue the following day before Justice Patrick McCarthy and a jury of nine men and three women.