Manuela death ‘an accident’, claims accused

A GALWAY man accused of murdering Swiss teenager Manuela Riedo has told a jury at the Central Criminal Court that her death was “an accident”.

The body of Ms Riedo, 17, was found in an area of wasteland beside a pedestrian walkway known as “The Line”, close to the Lough Atalia area of Galway city.

Gerald Barry, 29, of Rosan Glas, Rahoon, Galway, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Manuela Riedo, at Lough Atalia, Renmore, Galway, on October 8, 2007.

He has pleaded guilty to stealing a camera and a mobile phone at the same place on the same date.

Barry told Martin Giblin SC, defending, that he met Manuela near a shop in Renmore, outside Galway city centre, sometime after 7pm on the night of her death.

“She asked me for the time. I gave it to her,” Mr Barry said.

He told the court that Manuela said she was walking into Galway city along The Line to meet some friends.

Barry said that he told her there was a quicker way and she accompanied him.

Barry said that they reached an area where a track leads up to The Line.

He said that he showed Manuela how to get from where they were up to The Line.

“She said are you not going into town. I told her I was having a joint. She sat down on the other side of the pole and asked me why I was smoking that.

“I asked her if she wanted to smoke it. She said no.”

“I told her I thought she was beautiful and I leaned in and kissed her.

“She kissed me back.

“We were kissing and fondling and a few minutes later I suggested we lie down on the grass. I put my jacket down and she put her jacket down.

“I suggested we have sex. She asked if I had a condom. I said I did.”

Mr Barry said that they lay there after having sex.

He said that Manuela sat up and said she had to go meet her friends.

“I sat up behind her and grabbed her from behind. I told her not to go, to stay with me for a while longer.

“I made a joke. I told her she could even tell them about me.”

Barry said Manuela “never responded”.

“I kind of sat up and took my arm away. She kind of slid... onto the ground. Her head kind of flopped. I shook her and got no response.”

Mr Barry said that he then pulled Manuela’s body to where it was found the following morning.

The court has previously heard from state pathologist Prof Marie Cassidy that an “unusual” injury was found on Manuela’s groin where a piece of skin had been “removed using a sharp object, most likely a knife”.

Mr Barry said that did not inflict that injury.

The court has also heard that one of the buttons from Manuela’s coat was missing and that a button was found on the walkway nearby

The jury heard that this button matched the buttons on the coat and that the remaining threads on the coat appeared to have been pulled.

Isobel Kennedy SC, prosecuting, said: “Could it be explained that you met her on that walkway and dragged her in over that wall?” Ms Kennedy said.

“No, that’s not what happened,” Barry said.

Barry also said that he could not explain how some hairs were found “snagged on the bushes” on the embankment between The Line and where Manuela’s body was found.

Ms Kennedy asked the accused if he knew how Manuela had got the laceration to the back of her head.

“I don’t know, unless it happened when her head flopped,” he said.

Earlier, forensic scientist Dr Patricia Wiltshire said the last meal Manuela had eaten had been in her stomach for approximately two hours.

She said if Manuela had the meal at 6pm the time of her death would have been approximately 8pm.

The trial continues.