Accused breaks down in tears

WAYNE O’DONOGHUE broke down in tears yesterday as details of his fatal encounter with Robert Houlihan were described in Courtroom Number Two.

With his head bent and his hands clasping his knees, the accused wiped away tears as his statement of confession to gardaí, made in the presence of solicitor Frank Buttimer, was read out.

The court was told repeatedly how the young man was contemplating suicide and was “in a state of panic” in the hours following Robert’s slumping to the ground.