Murder accused breaks down over why he stabbed self

A Fás worker accused of murdering a woman in Clare two years ago broke down as he explained to a Central Criminal Court jury why he stabbed himself in the stomach when the woman’s body was discovered.

Colm Deely, aged 41, of School Rd, Ballyvaughan, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Deirdre McCarthy, aged 43, between 11pm on Mar 27, 2011, and noon the next day.

The Central Criminal Court has heard that Ms McCarthy’s body was found on Fanore Beach on Mar 31.