Murder trial judge concern

THE judge who is due to sentence the Blarney teenager who stabbed his uncle to death expressed his concern yesterday about “a most improper communication” which he received in relation to the matter.

Mr Justice Paul Carney will today sentence Christopher Ruby, 18, of Ard Na Greine, Station Road, Blarney, Co Cork, for killing Shannon Ruby, 30, on September 26, 2009, at a neighbouring house at Ard Na Greine, Station Road, Blarney, Co Cork.

The judge heard the prosecution and defence evidence at a sentencing hearing on Tuesday.

However, the judge raised an issue with the prosecution and defence lawyers who were present for another case at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork yesterday.

Mr Justice Carney did not give any details of the communication but put the parties on notice yesterday that he would do so today during the sentencing hearing.

The judge told senior counsels, Tom Creed and Blaise O’Carroll, for the prosecution and defence of Ruby, respectively: “I will be dealing with a most improper communication I received in relation to the matter. It won’t affect my decision, which was fully committed to paper yesterday before I received the communication this morning.”