'Neck compression caused asphyxia'

THE State pathologist testified in the Central Criminal Court in Cork yesterday that the cause of 11- year-old Robert Holohan's death was asphyxia due to neck compression.

Dr Marie Cassidy found a pattern of deep bruises of the neck consistent with manual strangulation.

Although Dr Cassidy found evidence during her post-mortem examination of fire damage to his clothing, she found no evidence of burn marks to the body.