A question of panic or cold indifference

THE prosecution emphasised the ‘remarkable degree of coolness’ shown by Wayne O’Donoghue following the death of his 11-year-old neighbour and invited the jury to find him guilty of murder.

“He spoke to Robert’s mother, Majella, on January 4. He spoke in her presence later that day. He spoke to others involved in the search. He carried on everyday activities ... while the whole world around him was convulsed with the desire to find Robert,” prosecution senior counsel Shane Murphy said.

Mr Murphy said the accused did not confess to killing Robert until he knew that the gardaí had a fingerprint from plastic where Robert Holohan’s body was found and that they were closing in.