Man faces trial for missing woman’s murder

A 48-year-old-man is to go on trial before the Central Criminal Court charged with the murder of a woman 12 years ago whose body has never been found.

Martin Earley, of Carrowmore Lacken, Ballina, Co Mayo, appeared before Judge Patrick Durcan at a special sitting of Ballina District Court yesterday charged with murdering Sandra Collins, aged 29, from Killala, Ballina, on or about Dec 4, 2000, at a place unknown.

The accused sat with his arms folded as relatives of his alleged victim occupied seats only feet away in the small courtroom. Once the five-minute hearing was over Earley was taken away to Castlerea Prison.