Packed court hears of night out before disappearance
Her body was recovered from the River Suir two weeks later.
Her husband, John O’Brien, denies murdering his 35-year-old wife.
In a dark grey suit, Mr O’Brien sat motionless throughout proceedings staring straight ahead.
Following a morning of legal argument, the jury of seven men and five woman were told how locals regularly met in the Woodlands Hotel, Waterford.
Ms Walsh had met her best friend, Lorraine Cuddihy, there. They sent mobile phone texts to each other daily but Ms Cuddihy was surprised when her friend failed to return texts or calls on Sunday, October 1, 2006.
Ms Walsh had been out with friends and her husband at the hotel the night before.
Owen Walsh described how he had stayed until closing time with the friends, joining Meg Walsh and her husband in the reception for Bacardi and Cokes until 4am.
He said he had Ms Walsh’s number on his phone so “if Meg got a joke, she’d send it onto me and the rest of the gang”.
The Waterford Port worker was invited back to the couple’s home, he said.
It was getting bright outside by this stage and Ms Walsh asked her husband could Owen Walsh stay over, the jury heard.
She showed him where to sleep upstairs and while doing so they both kissed.
But it was a goodnight kiss and lasted a second, he told the court.
Husband John O’Brien asked what was going on.
“Sorry John, it’s just the drink,” Mr Walsh said he replied. But Mr O’Brien told him twice to leave, allegedly sounding aggressive the second time, he said.
Mr Walsh could not explain how make-up stains were later found on his shirt. Mr Walsh said he had gone home and was not seen by anyone until Sunday evening when his wife returned after being away.
Ms Walsh’s body, with severe injuries to the head and shoulders, was found in the River Suir two weeks later.
